Women’s soccer: Vanguard in quarterfinal

The most successful women’s soccer team in Vanguard University history will face Spring Arbor of Michigan in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala. on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

The No. 2-ranked Lions (18-2) have won 14 straight matches, including a 5-1 second-round triumph over Baker of Kansas on Monday.

Vanguard, which lost in the second round in its only appearance at the 16-team “final site” national tournament in 2009, has outscored opponents, 47-3, during the winning streak.

Coach Randy Dodge’s squad, the No. 3 seed, has outscored foes, 65-8, this season and has recorded 14 shutouts.

The Lions are paced by junior forward Jordan Davidson, who had two goals and one assist on Monday and has 18 goals and 10 assists in her first season after transferring from a community college in Arizona.

Vanguard also relies heavily upon junior forward Kayla Arenas (11 goals and four assists), senior midfielder Amanda Couch (nine goals and 14 assists) and senior Lindsey Holman-Kelley (eight goals and three assists).

Spring Arbor (20-2-1), which defeated Kansas Wesleyan, 3-1, on Tuesday, is led by Karly Linton (19 goals and 12 assists), Morgan Brooklyn (12 goals and eight assists), Megan Wagener (six goals and 10 assists) and Megan Smith (five goals and 10 assists).

Smith had two goals and Brooklyn had two assists in the Cougars’ second-round triumph.

Spring Arbor, which has won five straight, has posted 16 shutouts this season and outscored opponents, 71-8.

Wednesday’s winner advances to Friday’s semifinals against either No. 2-seeded Lindsey Wilson of Kentucky (17-4-1) or No. 7-seeded Embry Riddle of Florida (17-5).

Vanguard lost at Lindsey Wilson, 2-1, on Sept. 15.

— Barry Faulkner