ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The Raven Women's Soccer team returns to the Orange Beach Sportsplex for the second round of the 35th annual NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship today at 4 p.m.
The Match Up: (8) Benedictine College (19-2-1) vs. (9) Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) (18-2-0) | 4 p.m. | Orange Beach Sportsplex
Video/TV: NAIAnetwork - www.NAIAnetwork.com (PPV cost associated with viewing per game or by tournament)
Live Stats: (Courtesy of Dakstats): http://bit.ly/2N7e6ND
PREGAME: The Ravens return to Orange Beach for the fifth straight season as they take on Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) for the first time in program history. If you're thinking the name sounds familiar, the Ravens took on the sister school, Embry-Riddle (Fla.) back in the Quarterfinals of the 2014 National Championship. That Embry-Riddle is now a NCAA Div. II member. ... Embry-Riddle advanced to the Second Round of the National Championship with a 3-2 golden goal win over Hope International (Calif.) in the Opening Round back on Nov. 17. They are making their second straight appearance in the Championship and their fourth overall. ... The Eagles earned their berth into the National Championship by winning the California Pacific Conference (they also posted a 10-0 conference mark).
ABOUT BENEDICTINE: The Ravens earned a 3-0 win over Ottawa University back on Nov. 17 to advance to the Second Round. ... Benedictine is currently ranked second in the NAIA in shutouts (15) while ranking fourth in both total assists (70) and assists per game (3.2). They also rank sixth in total goals (78). ... Olivia Meyers ranks second in the NAIA in total assists (21) and fourth in assists per game (.950). ... Ashley Rehagen ranks second in the NAIA in goals against average (.330). ... Emily Ambuul ranks fifth in the NAIA in game-winning goals (6).
ABOUT EMBRY-RIDDLE: The Eagles went 10-0 this season in Cal-Pac play, but like Benedictine, they are the lone conference representative to make it to Orange Beach. ... Heading into the second round of the National Championship, they lead the NAIA in both shots per game (28.8) and shots on goal per game (15.5). ... Keeper Caitlyn Aaron ranks sixth in the NAIA in goals against average (.500). ... Riley Martinson is the Cal Pac Offensive Player of the Year. She has 40 points (14 goals, 12 assists) heading into the second round. ... Adri Jackson was named the Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Year for the second time. ... The Eagles have eight Cal Pac all-conference selections in addition to the Player of the Year honors. ... Eight players are at 10 points of more for the Eagles with Parker Lee and Maggi McElrath scoring seven goals each.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: While Embry-Riddle will pay close attention to Ambuul, they will also a have to deal with Nicole Kelly (19 goals, 10 assists) and Anna Romano (14 goals, 7 assists). The Raven trio of Amuul, Kelly and Romano have scored a combined 54 goals – just 17 less than the entire Embry-Riddle team. ... Jackson will have her hands full guiding the Eagles defense, so the communication between her, the back line and Aaron will be crutial for Embry-Riddle to keep Benedictine off the board. ... Mortinson led the Cal Pec in points with 37 through the regular season. She has recorded 63 shots and 38 shots on goal this season. Molly Schmidt, the Heart Defensive and Overall Player of the Year will have to keep track of Mortinson throughout the match. ... While Lee and McElrath give the Eagles two additional scorers, both players are not starters for Embry-Riddle. Lee has started in three of her 20 matches played while McElrath has started in two of her 18 matches played. McElrath has not played since Nov. 8.
UP NEXT: The winner of the Benedictine/Embry-Riddle match will take on the winner of the (1) Spring Arbor (Mich.)/Mobile match at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
