Indianapolis, IN – If you thought the WHAC Tournament was intense, buckle up—because the NAIA National Tournament is a different beast entirely. First-year head coach Jenna Smith and her squad may not be strangers to this level, but with the sting of a heartbreaking WHAC final still fresh, no one knew exactly how the Saints would respond in their opening-round matchup. As it turns out, they responded the way they have all season: by learning, adjusting, and elevating. Aquinas delivered an impressive and composed performance, earning a 3–1 victory over the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees at ASV Field in Indianapolis.

Aquinas 3, St. Ambrose 1

The Saints struck first in the 32nd minute, capitalizing on sustained pressure in the attacking third. Madison Slezinski buried the opening goal after a beautifully threaded assist from Julia Grzadkowska, giving Aquinas a crucial early advantage and settling the squad into the flow of the match. It was the kind of composed finish the Saints needed to regain their confidence after last week's WHAC final.

Aquinas kept the intensity rolling into the second half and doubled their lead in the 73rd minute. Kiersen Korienek, who was a threat all afternoon, made her mark by driving home a clinical finish set up by a sharp connection from Aubrey Phenicie. The timing of the goal provided breathing room and shifted momentum squarely toward the Saints.

St. Ambrose made things interesting with a goal in the 80th minute, cutting the lead to 2–1 after a scramble inside the box ended with a strike from Chloe Travis. However, the Bees' surge was short-lived. Just three minutes later, Korienek answered again, this time finishing a perfectly placed pass from Grzadkowska in the 83rd minute to restore full control for the Saints. The brace from Korienek showcased her relentless presence and proved decisive in sending Aquinas into the next round.

Throughout the match, the Saints' defensive unit—anchored by Katelynn Sterling, Bridget Sherman, Catherine Hoff, and Abigail Kramer—weathered consistent pressure. Senior goalkeeper Kayla Shuk delivered a standout performance, posting 12 saves and directing traffic in the back third with veteran poise. The midfield core of Olivia Bowling, Maeve Comfort, and Grzadkowska disrupted St. Ambrose's rhythm while helping AQ maintain composure in transition.

The Saints also received meaningful minutes from a deep bench, including solid contributions by Reegyn Cady, Camille Berko, Bella Teelander, and Ella Holzwarth, each providing critical energy as the game intensified. AQ's ability to maintain structure and tempo across all 90 minutes proved to be the separating factor.

As the Saints turn the page to Round Two, the focus now shifts to carrying this momentum forward into Saturday's showdown with top-seeded Marian. With only a short turnaround, Aquinas knows it must fine-tune the small details—tightening up a few defensive lapses, sharpening decision-making in high-pressure moments, and finding ways to generate even more threatening chances on frame. At this stage of the national tournament, the margin for error gets thinner with every whistle, and the teams that advance are the ones who capitalize on their opportunities while eliminating mistakes. If the Saints can build on Thursday's performance and continue trending upward, they'll give themselves every chance to keep their postseason journey alive.

Inside the Numbers

     • Senior goalie Kayla Shuk recorded 12 saves in the win, but a late fluke goal cost her shutout #9 on the season & 50th of her career.
     • Aquinas was outshot 19–16 but produced 11 shots on goal to the Bees' 13.
     • The Saints earned their first NAIA Tournament win since 2022.
     • Aquinas earned just one corner kick while limiting St. Ambrose to two.

Coach's Comments

Head Coach Jenna Smith was thrilled with her team's composure and execution, while reminding them that the journey is far from over:
"I'm so proud of the way our team responded today. They stayed disciplined, trusted each other, and rose to the moment when the pressure was highest. This was a full-team win. But we also know the road only gets tougher from here—Marian is an excellent side, and we'll need the same focus and intensity on Saturday."

Up Next

The Saints (12–6–1) remain in Indianapolis for a second-round showdown with host and #1 seed Marian University. Kickoff is set for Saturday, November 22 at 5:00 PM. Fans can visit AQSaints.com throughout the week for previews, live stats links, and comprehensive coverage.

Watch Party

For those who couldn't make the trip, the Saints Room transformed into a lively watch party, thanks in large part to AQ Manager of Operations Mary Takas, who provided snacks to fuel the crowd. With National Volleyball preparations underway at the Sturrus and Men's and Women's Cross Country competing in Tallahassee, this was the perfect way for the community to gather and support AQ Women's Soccer. The atmosphere was electric—loud, proud, and energized—as Saints fans celebrated every save, every goal, and ultimately, a well-earned victory.

It may not have been in person, but the spirit of Aquinas filled the room—and once again proved why every day is a great day to be a Saint!