Women's Soccer: Princeton Is NCAA Draw
November 10, 2008 09:15 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
November 10, 2008
NCAA BRACKET
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| Nikki Izzo-Brown |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The 15th-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team will start its quest for the 2008 NCAA College Cup against Princeton in the opening round of NCAA tournament Friday, Nov. 14, at Klöckner Stadium in Charlottesville, Va.
The Virginia Cavaliers will serve as one of 16 host schools for the first and second rounds of the national tournament. The other first round match in Charlottesville features ninth-ranked Virginia versus Army. Game times for both contests will be determined Tuesday (Nov. 11).
“We are excited to have the opportunity to play a first-time opponent in Princeton,” said Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Julie (Shackford) will have her team organized and well-coached. It should be a very competitive first round game.”
The Mountaineers are 8-8 all-time in NCAA tournament play including a 2-1 mark against teams on a neutral site. West Virginia and Princeton have never met on the soccer field and the Mountaineers have never played an NCAA match in Charlottesville.
The 64-team NCAA tournament field includes 30 conference champions receiving automatic bids and 34 at-large selections. West Virginia, Princeton and Virginia, the No. 2 seed in the 16-team UCLA region, were at-large picks. Army won the Patriot League Championship for an automatic berth.
Princeton sports a record of 12-2-2 on the season after winning a share of the Ivy League title. The Mountaineers own a record of 13-2-6 after winning their third straight BIG EAST American Division title.
West Virginia has now made nine consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament. The Mountaineers first made the field of 64 in 2000 and have not missed since, advancing to the Sweet 16 twice and the Elite Eight last season.
