GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Following two big wins that sent them to the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Championship game, the Crusaders hit the road to take on the No. 1 seed Aquinas Saints at the Saints' home turf. Despite a hard battle, the Crusaders lost 2-0, but still secured their spot in the NAIA National Tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was a great defensive effort by both teams for most of the first half. The stalemate would be broken by the Saints just shy of nineteen minutes into the game when the first goal would put them up 1-0 against the Crusaders. The Crusader defense held strong for the rest of the first half, especially thanks to the effort of their goalie, Brooke Bruletti, who would have three saves in the first half. However, the offense was unable to find its momentum and was unable to get on the scoreboard. Just five minutes into the second half, the Saints would go up 2-0. The rest of the game would be a defensive battle, with both teams failing to put any more goals on the board.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Bruletti had five saves that kept the Crusaders in the match
- Aquinas outshot Madonna 27-10

UP NEXT

The Crusaders will await the NAIA Selection Show to see who they will face in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament.

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