DUBUQUE, Iowa - The No. 2 seed University of Dubuque women's soccer team hosts No. 4 seed Simpson College Storm in the A-R-C Championship match Saturday evening. 

The Spartans are coming off a 1-0 semifinal win over No. 3 seed Central College, avenging their sole conference loss this season. With the Storm's upset of top-seeded Loras College, the Spartans earned the right to host the Championship match at Oyen Field for the second consecutive season; kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. In the regular-season meeting with the Storm, UD came back with a 2-1 win. 

About the Spartans

The Spartans improved to 10-5-3 after Wednesday's semifinal win, the first consecutive 10-win season since 2018-19. In the semifinal, a defensive masterclass was propelled by Bree Swenson's game-winning goal against Central. UD is making consecutive championship appearances for the first time since a three-year run from 2012-14. In their sixth all-time Tournament Championship appearance, the Spartans face the Storm for the second time, with the last meeting resulting in the Spartans' first tournament title with a 1-0 win in 2009.

All-Conference honors were announced on Friday morning, with the Spartans receiving seven honorees. Rylie Mensik led the group, winning Rookie of the Year; it's the second straight year a Spartan has claimed the honor. Six additional players earned All-Conference selections: Sarah Thompson, Ava Hortillosa, Samantha Jurgens, Claire Husnick, Bree Swenson and Chloe Westerfeld. 

About the Storm

The No. 4-seeded Storm advanced to the A-R-C Championship game after upsetting the Loras College Duhawks on penalty kicks after two overtime periods. The final penalty-kick tally was 3-2 in the sixth round. 

What's at Stake

The winner of the A-R-C Championship game between No. 2 University of Dubuque and No. 4 Simpson College will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament.