Ashford University has been selected to host opening round contests in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Soccer National Championships this Saturday, Nov. 17.

Davenport University (Mich.) will visit Clinton on Saturday to face the #15-seeded Ashford University women's soccer team at 2 p.m. Following the women; the #14-seeded AU men's team hosts Benedictine College (Kan.) at 5 p.m.

The contests will be played at Ashford University’s South Campus located at 1650 South 14th St., Clinton, Iowa. Live video and statistics of both matches will be available. Those links, along with complete coverage of the NAIA Men's & Women's Soccer Championships can be found by clicking HERE.

On the women's side, AU locked up an automatic berth in the national tournament by defeating #14-ranked California State University-San Marcos in the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) tournament championship held Saturday, Nov. 10 in San Marcos, CA. Junior forward Hollie Babut scored her 20th goal of the season in the 82nd minute of play to make the difference in the match. It was Babut's ninth game-winning tally of the season.

After suffering a defeat in the A.I.I. Men’s Soccer Championship on Saturday, Nov. 10, it seemed as if the 2012 season was over for the Ashford men's soccer team. However, the Saints learned the following day that their season would continue.

The men's team received the eighth and final at-large bid for the NAIA national championship after the NAIA's final Modified Ratings Percentage Index (MRPI) rated the Saints as the 14th-best team in NAIA men's soccer. 

Ashford University lost its bid at an automatic berth to the national tournament on Saturday when the team dropped the A.I.I. men's soccer championship match to Jamestown College (N.D.), 3-0.

Ashford’s faculty, staff and students may receive free tickets in the campus Student Affairs office on Friday. The tickets are free, but are required for admission to the game.

About Ashford University

Ashford University is defining the modern college experience by combining the heritage of a traditional campus with the flexibility and effectiveness of online learning. The University provides a vibrant learning community where high-quality programs and leading-edge technology create a dynamic, immersive and stimulating learning experience. Ashford University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers practical and progressive associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs online, as well as bachelor’s degree programs at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. Ashford University – where heritage meets innovation. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.