Grand Rapids, Mich. — An impenetrable defense and constantly applying offensive pressure was the recipe for postseason success Wednesday evening (Nov. 2) for the No. 15-ranked Aquinas women's soccer team. With a 3-0 home win at the AQ Athletic Field, the top-seeded Saints (16-2-1) ended its in-city rival's season with a 3-0 home win over No. 8-seeded Cornerstone (5-10-3) in the WHAC Tournament quarterfinals.

Aquinas didn't waste much time taking control of the match, as the Saints jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 3rd minute. Senior forward Hannah Crum and junior forward Sydney Shenk worked the ball inside the six-yard box with a pair of crisp passes to setup senior midfielder Macy Hollingsworth cutting directly toward goal. Hollingsworth found the top right corner with a one-time finish to ignite the early celebration. It was her fourth goal of the season.

The Golden Eagles didn't allow the Saints to pull away in the first half despite AQ taking 12 shots — only four were on target. Aquinas led 1-0 at halftime.

A flurry of action in the 57th minute produced the Saints' second goal. Shenk started off with a shot outside the box that was knocked away by CU goalkeeper Hope Steenwyk. Crum was there to try and finish off the rebound but missed to the left of the post. After the goal kick to restart play, Crum uncorked another distance shot that was saved by Steenwyk onto the crossbar. Shenk swooped in to tap the rebound in off the crossbar to give AQ a deserved 2-0 lead.

With the defense playing so well, Aquinas was able to bring in some substitutes up front. They didn't miss a beat with two of them contributing to AQ's third and final goal. Senior forward Katelyn Kahael showed persistence after having her first shot block to get another shot toward the goal. It turned out to be an assist as speedy senior forward Brittney Carter ran onto the ball before Steenwyk could pick it up. From close range, Carter couldn't and didn't miss for her third goal this season.

Aquinas emptied out the bench at the end of the game to allow a total 19 players to see postseason action.

The Saints end up outshooting the Golden Eagles 33-3 (13-0 shots on target). AQ freshman goalkeeper Kayla Shuk played all 90 minutes for her 11th shutout of the season.  

With the win, Aquinas has now beaten Cornerstone eight matches in a row and will play in its fifth straight WHAC Tournament semifinal.

The Saints advance to play No. 5-seeded Siena Heights in the next round on Saturday (Nov. 5). Siena Heights (11-4-4) knocked off UNOH, 2-1, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. The two Saints' programs will face off at noon Saturday at the AQ Athletic Field. These two teams meet in the WHAC Tournament semifinals last season with the Saints winning 4-1.