Over the past decade since the inception of the program, MVNU has claimed four conference titles and two National Christian College Athletic Association national championships. However, one thing missing from the Lady Cougars’ resume had been a trip to the NAIA National Championship.

That all changed over the weekend when MVNU posted a 2-1 overtime victory against Notre Dame College in the American Mideast Conference Tournament semifinals and then earned an automatic berth in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round with a 5-3 penalty kick win over AMC regular-season champion Houghton (N.Y.) College after a scoreless double overtime draw on the NAIA No. 22 Highlanders’ home field in the championship match.

The Lady Cougars have posted an 11-5-2 overall record this season that includes a current seven-match unbeaten streak (6-0-1). MVNU has registered a tie in both of its matches against ranked teams this year as the Lady Cougars battled No. 19 Ohio Dominican to a 1-1 double overtime draw earlier this season in addition to Saturday’s match at Houghton. The team also finished second in the AMC regular-season standings with an 8-3 mark.

Junior forward Jessica Estep leads MVNU with 10 goals, while freshmen forwards Jessica Linger and Haley Sparks have added four goals apiece. Senior midfielder Erin Miller has registered a team-high six assists, and the Lady Cougars’ offense has outscored their opponents 24-13 this year. MVNU’s defense has been solid as the back line of seniors Mara Hughes and Angie Misamore along with junior Denèe Stentz and sophomore Kelci Rhodes have teamed up with junior goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen to post 10 shutouts in 18 matches. Loewen has posted a career-best 0.70 goals against average.

While the Lady Cougars will be making the program’s first-ever appearance in the NAIA National Championship, Lee will be making its sixth straight appearance. The Lady Flames, who have posted an 11-3-2 mark all-time in national tournament play, won last year’s event with a 3-0 victory over Concordia (Ore.) University in the championship match.

This season, Lee has posted a 16-2-1 overall record and won the Southern States Athletic Conference regular-season title with a perfect 8-0 conference mark. The Lady Flames have scored 79 goals this season and allowed just six goals as they attempt to repeat as national champions. Jamie Achten leads the way for Lee with 17 goals and 18 assists, while Christiane Christensen has added 13 goals and 12 assists and Marina Lima has scored 12 times. Goalkeeper Leah Wilson has a microscopic 0.26 goals against average as the team has posted 13 shutouts.

"Our team is very excited to be playing in its first NAIA national tournament,” said MVNU coach Daniel Seiffert, who has guided the team to an already memorable season in his first year as head coach. "All of our players have been working very hard all season and they welcome this opportunity.”

"Lee University has a solid program and they have established a very successful tradition,” Seiffert added. "We are really looking forward to our match on Saturday.”

These two teams have met only once previously and that was in 2006 when Lee traveled to MVNU for match as part of the Lady Cougars’ tournament. The Lady Flames were ranked No. 2 in the NAIA at that time, too, and Lee came away with a 2-1 victory with the winning goal coming on a second-half penalty kick by Jenna Achten.

The winner of Saturday’s match between Lee and MVNU will advance to the NAIA National Championship Final Site in Decatur, Ala., where they will face the winner of the Opening Round match between No. 15 seed Trinity Christian (Ill) University (13-4-4) and Ottawa (Kan.) College (16-4). The second round match will take place at 7:00 p.m. on November 30.