Florida State / Ohio State Region Women's Soccer Tournament Breakdowns
Florida State has an intriguing road to the Elite Eight. The selection committee rewarded the Seminoles for winning the regular season championship in the ACC, which was the most difficult in the sport this season. Texas A&M and number four seed Ohio State look to provide the stiffest challenges along the way for the Seminoles en route to a potential showdown with Florida or Wake Forest in the Elite Eight.
#1 Florida State vs. Mississippi Valley State
Florida State looks to get back rolling again against SWAC Champion Mississippi Valley State. The Devilettes had a great run to win the SWAC Conference Tournament. However, the Seminoles should be too much for Mississippi State and move on to the next round as the time off should help this team be reenergized for the postseason sprint.
Texas Tech vs. North Texas
A nice in-state matchup is on tap in the opening round as Texas Tech was very tough at home losing once. Led by Janine Beckie and Paige Strahan in the attack, the Red Raiders averaged just over two goals a match. North Texas comes in as the Sun Belt Conference champions. The Mean Green have battled some of the nation’s best this season, including getting a result against Baylor in Denton. North Texas is led by a balanced attack of Michelle Young, Karla Pineda, Amber Haggerty and Kelsey Hodges. This has the potential to be a very high scoring match that goes down to the wire.
Texas A&M vs. Stephen F. Austin
Another Lone Star State battle will happen in this region as Texas A&M, winners of the SEC West division, look to get rolling again against Stephen F. Austin. The Aggies ability to defend has been very huge in their success in 2012. Texas A&M has only allowed 12 goals and offensively is led by the duo of Annie Kunz and Kelley Monogue, who have combined for 20 goals. The Lumberjacks are very explosive offensively as they have scored 52 goals in 2012. They are the Southland Conference champions and are led by Chelsea Raymond’s 13 goals and the playmaking of Kylie Luow, who has tallied 13 assists. This match should also have fireworks and the Aggies most likely protecting the home field and advancing.
#4 Ohio State vs. Oakland
Ohio State comes in to the NCAA Tournament as the Big Ten Tournament champions after knocking off Illinois. Tiffany Cameron has had an epic season offensively for the Buckeyes as she has scored 20 goals in 2012, accounting for just over half of the goals for Ohio State. The Buckeyes also defend very well only having allowed 13 goals paced by steady goalkeeping play from Rachel Middleman and Jillian McVicker. Oakland is the champion of the Summit League and is paced by Kyla Kellerman’s nine goals. The Grizzlies have played some other Big Ten teams tough in Michigan State and Michigan. This has the feel of a fairly tight defensive minded match with the Buckeyes having the home field to push them through.
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