Women’s Soccer: Lions open NAIA tourney at home

The Vanguard University women’s soccer team, ranked No. 12 in the NAIA, will play host to Columbia (Mo.) in the opening round of the NAIA Tournament on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

The Lions (15-4) are making their second consecutive appearance in the NAIA Tournament, in which the 15 opening-round winners join host Mobile in the 16-team field that competes for the crown in Alabama from Dec. 2 through 7.

Coach Randy Dodge’s Vanguard squad is led by two-time Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year Jordan Davidson, as well as 2012 All-American goalkeeper Lauren Terry and 2013 All-GSAC performers Jen Martin and Kayla Arenas.

Davidson, a senior forward, has 11 goals and seven assists, while Arenas, a senior forward, has 14 goals and six assists to lead the team with 34 points.

Martin, a junior transfer from Santiago Canyon Community College, has 10 goals and 13 assists.

Terry, a junior, has seven of the team’s 10 shutouts.

Vanguard, which reached the quarterfinals of last year’s NAIA Tournament, has outscored opponents, 61-17, this season.

Columbia (16-2-1) is on an 11-game winning streak, during which it has outscored teams, 73-3. The Cougars, a second-year program making their first appearance in the NAIA Tournament, lead the nation in goals (105) and shutouts (13). They are led by senior midfielder Stephanie Hale, the American Midwestern Conference Player of the Year who has 22 goals and an NAIA-best 24 assists, the Cougars have won games, 14-0, 12-1, 9-0, 8-0 (three times), and 7-0 (three times).

— From staff reports