Back-to-Back! Beekel’s Hat-Trick Propels SAU to Second-Straight CL Title

Back-to-Back! Beekel’s Hat-Trick Propels SAU to Second-Straight CL Title
November 13, 2024

Crossroads League Championships Central

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – No. 11 ranked Spring Arbor University defeated No. 9 Marian University 4-3 on Wednesday night at the Cougar Soccer Complex to claim the 2024 Crossroads League Tournament championship and the league's automatic bid to the 41st annual NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship.

The Cougars conceded two quick goals but overcame the early deficit behind the first career hat-trick from senior Kaylee Beekel, securing SAU's second straight league title and the 12th in program history.

 

THE BASICS

SCORE: (11) Spring Arbor 4, (9) Marian 3

LOCATION: Spring Arbor, Mich. | Cougar Soccer Complex

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 16-3-0, Marian 16-3-2 

 

MATCH NOTES

  • Marian charged out of the gates, scoring two goals in the first 14 minutes of action – snapping SAU's six-game shutout streak.
  • Spring Arbor, the Crossroads League regular season champion, showcased its resilience and found a way to even the score less than six minutes later. Kaylee Beekel recorded both goals, each assisted by Lauren Marshall.
  • The Cougars grabbed the lead early in the second half when Marshall found the back of the net in 53rd minute.
  • Beekel struck again in the 73rd minute to complete the hat-trick and give SAU a 4-2 advantage.
  • Marian got one goal back less than a minute later when Layla Brown converted a penalty kick, but that was as close as the Knights would get.
  • Both teams finished with nine shots.
  • SAU goalkeeper Reagan Kohler, the reigning Crossroads League Defensive Player of the Week, made two saves on the night.
  • The tournament title was Spring Arbor's 12th since 2006.

 

UP NEXT

The NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship field will be announced on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. ET on the NAIA Network. 

The first and second rounds of the tournament will be played on Nov. 21-23 at campus sites. The winner of each host site will advance to the final site in Pensacola, Florida.