Nine Pac-12 women’s soccer teams earn NCAA Tournament bids
SAN FRANCISCO — Nine Pac-12 women’s soccer teams earned berths into the 2019 NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament, the Division I Women’s Soccer Committee announced today. Nine teams ties for the most of any conference. 2019 Pac-12 Champion STANFORD earned the No. 1 overall seed for the fourth-straight year and is joined by fellow No. 2-seeds UCLA and USC and No. 4-seeded WASHINGTON. ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, UTAH, and WASHINGTON STATE received at-large bids.
Nine Conference teams will make an appearance for the first time since 2014, and just the second time in league history. The Pac-12 currently holds an all-time record of 197-130-29 (.594) in the NCAA Tournament, owns five national championships and six-second place finishes.
2017 NCAA Tournament Champion and 2018 national semifinalist Stanford (18-1-0, 11-0-0) makes its 22nd-straight and 29th-overall NCAA Tournament appearance against SWAC Champion Prairie View A&M on Friday, Nov. 15 at Cagan Stadium. Head coach Paul Ratcliffe boasts a 47-12-4 record in postseason action, as he has led the Cardinal to the NCAA Tournament in each of his 17 seasons. Stanford claimed its unprecedented fifth-straight Pac-12 title this season after going undefeated for the in Pac-12 play for the 10th time, posting a perfect 11-0-0 record.
No. 2 seeded UCLA (14-4-1, 8-3-0) garnered its 23rd overall berth into the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have a 24-3-2 all-time postseason record, winning the 2013 NCAA title, having advanced to at least the round of 16 in six of the last seven seasons. UCLA hosts Southland Champion Lamar University on Friday, Nov. 15.
2016 NCAA Champion USC (14-4-1, 7-4-0) also earned a No. 2 seed making its sixth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Trojans have recorded an 23-14-3 all-time postseason record with NCAA title runs in 2007 and 2016, three third-round finishes and eight second-round appearances in 17 bids. USC hosts Big West Champion Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, No. 16.
Washington (11-6-2, 7-4-0) is a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament markings its first postseason appearance since 2015 and will host for the first time since 2014. Head coach Lesle Gallimore has taken the Huskies to the postseason 15 times in her 26 years, twice advancing to the national quarterfinals and nine second-round contests. Washington hosts the WAC Champion Seattle U on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Arizona (11-6-1, 5-5-1) was selected with an at-large bid to make its program-best third-consecutive and seventh overall NCAA appearance. The Wildcats are coming off a successful 2019 run, winning at least 10 games in three-straight season and knocking off two top-15 teams in one season for the first time in program history. Arizona is set to host TCU this weekend at Mulcahy Stadium.
California (13-4-3, 5-3-3) makes its 26th postseason run after clinching an at-large bid and finishing fifth place in the Conference. The Bears return to the postseason after breaking a streak of 14-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances last year. Cal travels to Santa Clara to face the Broncos on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Colorado (11-7-2, 3-6-2) also punches its ticket to the 2019 NCAA Tournament, making its 11th postseason appearance and first since 2017. The Buffs finished with 11 wins this season, recording noteable upset over No. 24 Texas (2-1) and No. 21 and fourth-seeded Washington (1-0). Colorado hosts Northern Colorado on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Utah (8-8-4, 3-5-3) earned its eighth all-time NCAA Tournament berth with an at-large bid. The Utes make their first postseason appearance since 2014 this weekend at Duke. Utah goes into the tournament having won its last two games, both against NCAA Tournament teams, including fourth-seeded Washington.
Washington State (12-6-1, 5-5-1) heads to the postseason for the third-straight year and eightth time in nine years after clinching an at-large bid. Offensively, the Cougs put together one of the best seasons in program history, ending the regular season with 36 goals and 38 assists, ranking tied for the second most helpers in WSU single-season history. WSU host Memphis at Lower Soccer Field on Friday, Nov. 15.
Thirty-one conferences were granted automatic bids for the 2019 championship, while the remaining 33 teams were selected at-large. The top-16 teams are seeded and conference teams cannot play each other in the first- or second-rounds. When pairing teams, the committee follows geographic proximity parameters. The top 16 teams host and all other sites were selected for the first-round to create the least number of flights.
First-round games will be played November 15, 16 and 17 at campus sites. Second- and third-round games will be played November 22 and November 24, and quarterfinal games will be played November 29 or 30. The 38th-annual NCAA Women’s College Cup will be played December 6 and 8 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT
Friday, Nov. 15 - First Round
Memphis at Washington State - 5 p.m. PT
Lamar at UCLA - 5 p.m. PT
Prarie View A&M at Stanford - 7 p.m. PT
Saturday, Nov. 16
Northern Colorado at Colorado - 11 a.m. PT
Cal State Fullerton at USC - 1 p.m. PT
California at Santa Clara - 1 p.m. PT
Seattle at Washington - 6 p.m. PT
TCU at Arizona - TBD
Utah at Duke - TBD