MARION, Ind. - No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan Women's Soccer faced off with No. 6 Marian University in the Crossroads League Tournament Championship on Tuesday evening, IWU's first appearance in the match since 2023. After a scoreless first half, both highly ranked teams fought hard for a chance at the title. Within the waning moments, IWU's Avery Williams notched the game winning goal to give the Wildcats their first championship win since 2021.
The two top ten teams traded shots in the first half with both goalkeepers making one save to keep the game scoreless after the first 45 minutes. In that first period, the Wildcats and the Knights tied at seven shots a piece, but Marian took one more corner kick. The next 40 minutes was more of the same, both teams making pushes but being stifled. Marian had multiple close chances but the IWU defense was strong enough to repel the attacks. Eventually, the Wildcats got their chance on a deep run by sophomore Avery Williams who fired one off the right post, but it bounced backwards behind the goalkeeper to score the game winning goal in the 85th minute. With the lead, Indiana Wesleyan's defense locked down in the final 5 minutes and secured the Crossroads Championship.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Marion, Ind. | IWU Soccer Field
- Records: IWU: 16-1-4 (6-1-2) | MU: 13-3-3 (5-2-2)
- NAIA Top 25 Poll: IWU - #3 | MU - #6
WHAT HAPPENED
- The two sides equaled each other in both shots and shots on goal in a scoreless first period, but Marian held possession control for most of the half.
- After an early IWU surge, MU pushed hard and forced 3 saves in the second half.
- In the 85th minute, the Wildcats took the match with an off-the-post goal by Avery Williams unassisted.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- 1: Avery Williams scored the one and only goal of the match to give IWU the championship victory.
- 4: Avery Sluss made 4 key saves as the goalkeeper to keep Marian off the board.
- 16: Tonight's win was the 16th for IWU this year, the most since the 2021 season when they last won the Crossroads League Tournament Championship.
SHAY PERSPECTIVE
- "Only God could write a season so beautifully for His glory. Avery Williams put away an amazing goal tonight and immediately recognized that her strength comes from God," said second year head coach Hannah Shay. "Our defense played with incredible precision and grit, with standout games by Savanna Cronin and Avery Sluss. Marian is a great opponent, and tonight was a match that brought out our team's best."
- She continued with, "From the support staff operating behind the scenes, the coaches in the office, the sideline cheering, and the players on the field - this season has been filled with joy, unity, and freedom. Those things can only come from God when we become small and make Him big. We're thankful for the victory that He gave us tonight, but even more for the hope that we have beyond the game of soccer."
LOOKING FORWARD
- IWU awaits the NAIA Selection Show on Friday to see who and where it will play in the NAIA National Tournament.
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