#2 Nebraska / #3 Portland Region
The Huskers (18-3-1) will make their 11th NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2005, which is also the last time NU hosted a national postseason match. Nebraska is one of only five teams in Division I to have 18 or more wins, which is the most for NU since 2000. The Huskers' current nine-game win streak is tied for fourth best active streak in the nation. Nebraska captured its first Big Ten Tournament Championship on Sunday with a 1-0 victory over Iowa on a penalty kick goal in the 30th minute from freshman Jaycie Johnson, who has amassed a team-best 13 tallies. This marked the fourth time in program history NU has locked up both regular-season and tournament titles in the same season and first since 2000.
#2 Nebraska vs. Southeastern Louisiana
The Southeastern Louisiana women's soccer team will make its second trip to the NCAA Tournament after defeating Stephen F. Austin in penalty kicks for the Southland tourney title. The Huskers will have to stop an impressive trio of strikers. Brianna Singh has nine goals, Kelsey Salcido has eight goals and nine assists and Casey Peacock has seven goals and six assists. The team's 0.496 goals against average is eighth best in the country and 0.9 save percentage is second in the nation.
Northeastern vs. Boston College
Boston College has now made 11 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and 17 overall. The Eagles are led by two of the top scorers in the ACC - Stephanie McCaffrey and McKenzie Meehan. McCaffrey is second on the team and fourth in the ACC in scoring with 12 goals and eight assists for 32 points. Meehan leads the team, is second in the conference and 29th in the country in points scored with 17 goals, one assist for 35 points. Meehan is also 11th in the country in goals scored. Northeastern earned its second conference championship and second NCAA berth since joining the CAA in 2005 on Sunday. The team is the only team in the tournament with a losing record. Hanna Terry has four goals and five assists, while Morgan Hilby has three goals and six assists.
The Illini are making their fourth consecutive appearance and 12th overall. Illinois is led by one of the nation's top players, Jannelle Flaws. In her senior season, Flaws has scored 21 goals and was named the Big Ten's Forward of the Year. Her 21 goals are a school season record and accounted for half of Illinois' 43 goals in the regular season. Washington State will participate in its third-straight postseason, a first for the program, and its fifth NCAA Championship in the last-six years. The Cougars earned their bid on the strength of a runner-up finish in the Pac-12. The Cougars are making their eighth appearance in the postseason all-time and their first at home since 2000. Senior Micaela Castain leads the Pac-12 in goals (11), assists (11) and points (33). Nicole Setterlund has eight goals. Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Gurveen Clair leads the Pac-12 with a school-record 12 shutouts and registered a school-record 14 victories.
The Pilots, who recently claimed the program's 13th West Coast Conference Championship, are making their 14th straight appearance in the NCAA Postseason and their 21st appearance overall during the last 22 years. Portland is led by three seniors. Micaela Capelle has eight goals and six assists, both team highs. Amanda Frisbie has seven goals, as does Ellen Parker. After winning the Western Athletic Conference Tournament Championship, the Redhawks (17-2-2) earned the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The team becomes Seattle U’s first ever women’s team to qualify for an NCAA Division I tournament. The Pilots will have to slow down Seattle's top two strikers. Stephanie Verdoia has 15 goals and 12 assists and Natasha Howe has 10 goals.
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