GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Davenport women's soccer team's quest in returning to the NAIA National Championship for a third time will start on the road as the fifth-seeded Panthers open the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament at No. 4 Madonna Wednesday at 2 p.m. Fans can follow the match through the Crusaders' live stat feed.
 
At Madonna (WHAC Tournament Quarterfinal)
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 5
Kickoff: 2 p.m.
Location: Livonia, Mich. (Madonna Athletic Complex)
Internet Coverage: Live Stats
 
A Quick Look at Madonna – 11-6-1, 5-3-1 WHAC (16 Points) – Head Coach Jeff Hodgson (Fifth Season)
The Crusaders locked up the fourth seed to the WHAC Tournament following a 3-0 road win over Lawrence Tech last weekend. Veteran Ashley Parent tabbed two goals in the span of nearly two minutes midway through the first half to pretty much seal up the victory. Parent has 11 goals on the year while Katlyn Krysiak, who scored the third one against the Blue Devils, leads the team with a dozen. Blaire Schmalenberg has seen every minute between the posts, gowning a 1.17 GAA and a .780 save percentage.
 
The Last Time These Two Met
Davenport had to dig itself out of a hole the last time against Madonna two and a half weeks ago. The Panthers turned to the captain Paige Eli to score the equalizer in the 83rd minute but they could get the golden goal in double overtime to result a 1-1 tie with the Crusaders. Madonna jumped ahead in the 28th minute with a goal by Ashley Parent. Eli knot it up a one with a free kick from 40 yards out and made it right under the crossbar.
 
WHAC Tournament Play Begins
The regular-season is complete and it's now time to determine which school will represent the WHAC in the upcoming NAIA National Championship. The top eight in the conference standings qualify for the WHAC Tournament it consists of three rounds, with the higher seed as the host. Davenport is the No. 5 seed and will travel to Madonna Wednesday for the quarterfinal.
 
DU in the Conference Tournament
Davenport has a good record in the WHAC Tournament, going 6-2-3 since 2009. DU has also claimed the championship the last two seasons on penalty kicks. The last time the Panthers had to leave their Turf Field for the conference tournament was in 2011, when they fell to Siena Heights 2-1. DU has not had to start the league postseason on the road since 2009.
 
Women's Soccer Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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