UB Women's Soccer To Host 2011 NCAA First & Second Round Matches

Bridgeport, CT –The University of Bridgeport women's soccer team, under the direction of thirteenth-year head coach Magnus Nilerud, has earned its fifth straight trip to the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship Tournament, and the Purple Knights will serve as host for first and second round games at Knights Field on Friday, November 11 and Sunday November 13.  Bridgeport is the number one seed in the six-team East Region, and the team receives a bye into Sunday's second round match will which begin at 12:00 p.m.  UB will face the winner of Friday's first round match, which will begin at 2:00 p.m., between number four seed UMass Lowell, and number five seed Dowling.

This year marks the second time in school history that the Purple Knights have hosted NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship Tournament First and Second Round matches, as Bridgeport also served a host in 2009.

In last year's NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship Tournament, UB advanced to the second round defeating Franklin Pierce in round one, 3-1, and losing to the College of St. Rose, 1-0, on the Golden Knights' home field.  In 2009, Bridgeport fell to Franklin Pierce, 4-1, in the second round after receiving a first round bye. In 2008, the Purple Knights moved into the Round of 16 posting wins over Merrimack (1-0) and C.W. Post (1-0), before falling to the College of St. Rose, 3-1.  2007, UB made its first-ever NCAA Championship appearance and did not advance to the second round on penalty kicks versus Dowling. 

Bridgeport heads into this NCAA Tournament with a 16-0-1 overall record. 

UMass Lowell enters the NCAA Tournament with an 11-5-2 overall mark. The River Hawks, members of the Northeast 10 Conference, finished in third place in the conference regular season standings.

Dowling comes into NCAA play with a 13-5-2 overall record. The Golden Lions received an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship by winning the East Coast Conference Championship Tournament on Saturday, as they defeated Molloy College, 1-0.

The other side of the East Region bracket will be hosted by number two seed, the College of St. Rose. The Golden Knights are 19-1-1 so far in 2011, and they will host, on Sunday, the winner of Friday's match between number three seed Merrimack (16-3-1) and number six seed, Holy Family University (13-7-0).

2011 NCAA DIVISION II WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

FIRST AND SECOND ROUNDS HOSTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT

First Round-Friday, November 11, 2011

2:00 p.m.-UMass Lowell (11-5-2) vs. Dowling (13-5-2)

Second Round-Sunday, November 13, 2011

12:00 p.m.-UMass Lowell/Dowling winner vs. Bridgeport (16-0-1)

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE 2011 NCAA DIVISION II WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET