NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s soccer team (12-6-1) continues its 2006 season when it plays 12th ranked and second-seeded Penn State (15-4-3) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday at Jeffrey Field in University Park, Pa.
The winner between Niagara and Penn State faces Toledo or Villanova Sunday. Game times for the weekend will be announced at a later date.
"We are very excited about going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time," Niagara head coach Peter Veltri said. "We realize we are the underdogs in this game, but we are going to give it everything we have."
Niagara earned its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 2-1 victory over Siena College Nov. 5.
Penn State won its fourth Big Ten title and earned its 11 consecutive bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 3-1 victory over Illinois Nov. 5.
The Purple Eagles and the Nittany Lions have never played, but Niagara has played Toledo and Villanova. Niagara is 0-1-0 vs. the Rockets and the Wildcats.
