COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Lindsey Wilson women's soccer team defeated Aquinas (Mich.) 2-0 during the 2018 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Opening Round at Walter S. Reuling Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Yvonne Ploeg scored what would be Lindsey Wilson's (12-3-2) game winning goal during the 29th minute on a penalty kick. Emma Lindell added an insurance goal during the games final five minutes of action as Sina Cavelti picked up the assist.

The Blue Raiders outshot Aquinas (16-5-1) 13-6 including 6-3 in shots on goal for the match.

Lindsey Wilson nearly struck in just the ninth minute. Veronica Kurtz play short ball to Delfina Santellan inside the penalty box, who was then able to rush past an Aquinas defender to the end line before finding Cavelti standing six yards out, but her shot sailed just over the crossbar.

The Saints would create a quality scoring chance of their own during the 15th minute on a free kick by Jenna Smith. Her shot curved over a wall of Lindsey Wilson defenders but LWC goalkeeper Jovanna Ivanovic blocked away the attempt. Madison Mohr managed to lose Lindsey Wilson defenders and gather the rebound before her shot was again blocked away by a diving Ivanovic.

The Blue Raiders would create three great scoring chances all just over a minute apart during the 27th and 28th minute. The first came on a Kurtz shot that Aquinas goalkeeper Kylie Robb was able to just get her fingers on to deny the attempt. Moments later a Kajsa Conradsen header was blocked away from an open goal via a Saints defender. Kurtz would nearly score once again, this time from inside the 6-yard box but the attempt crashed into the right post and was cleared to safety.

Lindsey Wilson was finally able to put one in the back of the goal during the 29th minute on a penalty kick after Emelie Liljered was taken down inside of the penalty box. Ploeg was called upon to take the attempt and when Aquinas goalkeeper guessed wrong, Ploeg easily finished into the right side of the goal.

LWC would control play in their attacking third for the remainder of the half but were unable to add to their lead before the break. Lindsey Wilson registered six shot, three on goal as Aquinas managed three shots, two on goal. The Blue Raiders didn't allow a Saints shot over the final 29 minutes of the half.

The second half was a defensive battle as both teams battled to gain possession around midfield. Lindsey Wilson would control play over the first 15 minutes of the second half as they were able to record three shots on goal but all the attempts were blocked away.

From there the Blue Raiders would were able to limit the Saints to just three shot in the half.

Lindsey Wilson would add an insurance goal when Lindell rocketed a shot past the Saints goalkeeper when she found herself all alone 16-yard out after receiving a cross from Cavelti.

Ivanovic extended her shutout streak to 183 minutes dating back to the Blue Raiders Mid-South Conference Tournament Semifinals matchup against Campbellsville (Ky.).

Lindsey Wilson advance to advances to 2018 NAIA National Championship Second Round at the final site in Orange Beach, Alabama where they will face the winner of No. 7 Georgia Gwinnett and Columbia (Mo.) on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 1:30 p.m. CT.