The Providence Pilots women’s soccer team captured the third spot at last weekend’s National Christian Colleges Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division II National Tournament.

Having made the 31-hour bus journey from Winnipeg to South Carolina, the Pilots first faced Grace Christian University in one of the semi-finals. First-year midfielder Kristy Yashuk quickly scored, putting Providence up 1-0.

With Grace having scored twice to take a 2-1 lead into the break, third-year defender Amelia Reimer equalized for Providence off a corner kick in the second half. Their opponents, however, attacked relentlessly and proceeded to score three unanswered goals en route to a 5-2 win.

Grace quickly responded taking a 2-1 lead. After some back and forth between the two teams, Grace held their lead achieving a 5-2 win over Providence.

Despite the Pilots disappointment at not making it to the championship match, they collected themselves and beat Randall University 2-1 in their third-place game. Lindsey Dueck and Katerina Cook were the goal-scorers for Providence.

After this victory, head coach Tory Walker praised his team’s resilience: “We came together at the end of August and never stopped getting better, which shows what type of characters we have on this team. We gained some valuable experience this year.” Walker says their primary goal was to make it to Nationals and he was happy to have done it.

Graduating senior Doro Schulz has played in the Nationals for two successive years. She indicates this was a highlight of her time player soccer at Providence, “It has been fantastic being able to walk alongside the girls and see how much they have grown over the past few months and years,” she said. “I am grateful for the many experiences God has given me by being a part of this team”.