University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Ready for NCAA First Round
11/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
| #4 Minnesota (16-3-3) vs. NC State (10-8-1) | |
| Date | Saturday, Nov. 12 |
| Time | 7 p.m. CT |
| Location | Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium | St. Paul, Minn. |
| Tournament Info | Bracket | NCAA Championship Central | College Cup |
| Live Stats | |
| Live Stream | BTN2Go |
| Tickets | mygophersports.com (free for first 100 students) |
| Parking | Information | Free Shuttle |
| Social Media | @GopherSoccer | Facebook | Instagram |
The University of Minnesota will begin its run in the 2016 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship this weekend in a first round match against NC State. The Gophers will host the Wolfpack this Saturday, Nov. 12 at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT.
Tournament Details
The championship provides for a field of 64 teams. Thirty-one conference champions qualify automatically; the balance of the field is selected at-large by the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Committee. This will be the program's tenth tournament appearance. The Gophers will be joined by Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, Wisconsin as representatives of the Big Ten Conference. Minnesota earned a No. 4 seed in the tournament, a first in program history. In 2015, the Gophers fell in the second round to Loyola Marymount (0-1) after topping South Dakota State in the first round (5-0). The Gophers have an all-time record of 8-8 in the NCAA Tournament.
Scouting NC State
The Wolfpack will be making its first appearance in the national tournament since 1996. NC State is currently 10-8-1 on the 2016 season, with their biggest win coming from a 1-0 result against No. 6 North Carolina. Tziarra King leads the Wolfpack with eight goals and one assist. NC State has outscored its opponents 32-22 this year, and have reached double digit wins for the first time since 2011. Minnesota and NC State faced each other in 2001, the Wolfpack won that game 3-0.
B1G Champs X2
The Golden Gophers won both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles this season, the first time in program history. Minnesota finished conference play with a record of 7-1-3, tied for best with Northwestern and Penn State. In the tournament, the Gophers defeated Indiana (3-1), Michigan (1-0) and Rutgers (2-1) to win the crown. It was the first regular season title for Minnesota since 2008, and first tournament title since 1995.
Maroon & Gold Recognition
Simone Kolander was named Big Ten Forward of the Year for the second-straight season, Rashida Beal was selected as the Big Ten Defender of the Year and Stefanie Golan was picked as the Big Ten Coach of the Year. Josee Stiever was named to the All-Big Ten First Team with Kolander and Beal, while Tarah Hobbs was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team and defender Maddie Gaffney was tabbed to the All-Big Ten Third Team. Nikki Albrecht was recognized on the All-Freshman Team.
In the Ranks
Minnesota stayed No. 8 in the final regular season poll by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The Gophers were last ranked No. 11. The No. 8 ranking ties for the highest in program history. Minnesota is 19th in the RPI.
