Soccer to Host NCAA First and Second Rounds
11/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Nov. 10, 2008
COLUMBIA, Mo. -Fresh off winning its first Big 12 Championship, the No. 10 University of Missouri women's soccer team (15-5-1, 7-3-0) will play Evansville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Tigers learned on Monday. The Tigers, the four-seed in their region, were also selected as one of 16 host sites for the first and second rounds.
Illinois and Memphis round out the host site group, with both opening round matches played on Friday, Nov. 14 at Walton Stadium with the winners advancing to meet on Sunday, Nov. 16.
"We're excited to have the opportunity to host," head coach Bryan Blitz said. "Evansville was a conference champion so we'll have a tough road ahead.
The Big 12 Tournament was a great preparation for tournament play and made us better as we go forward."
The Tigers gathered as a team at D. Rowe's Restaurant to watch the NCAA Selection Show, announced live on ESPNews.
This marks the fourth NCAA Tournament appearance for the Tigers in program history and the fourth time Missouri has been chosen to host. It is also the team's second consecutive selection after reaching the second round in 2007, where they fell to eventual national champion USC in double overtime.
The Tigers, ranked No. 28 in the RPI Rankings released prior to the Big 12 Tournament, are 1-3-1 all time in NCAA Tournament play.
Tickets will be $4 for children and seniors, and $7 for adults. Both games on Friday are part of a single session.
