TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona soccer team (12-5-2) was selected to participate in the annual women's soccer Division I NCAA Tournament on Monday, and they will face Northern Colorado for the first time on Friday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. MST. Not only has the selection committee chosen Arizona to be a part of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in school history, it is the first time that Mulcahy Stadium will be the host of the first round of the tournament.
"When you look at what you guys have accomplished this year, with a 12 win season, ranked in the top-25, with an RPI that reached as high as 13, to host the NCAA tournament is a massive accomplishment," head coach Tony Amato said. "We have been working really hard, and the idea of hosting an NCAA game may have been far from a lot of people's minds, but we knew if we tried to win every game we played we could eventually get there. Making the tournament is one thing, getting to play at home is a whole other thing. We are excited and we are ready to get prepared for this weekend's game."
Last year in the NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats made it to the second round after defeating Oklahoma State by a score of 1-0, but then lost to Texas A&M in the second round by a score of 7-2. Most of that NCAA Tournament team is back this season as 22 players on the 2015 roster were also on the squad in 2014.
2015 has been one of the best seasons that Arizona has seen. The Wildcats finished with 19 conference points this season after going 6-4-1 in Pac-12, which is tied for fourth with California. Those six conference victories are tied for the most in school history as the 2004 squad went 6-3 in the Pac-10.
This is also just the third time in school history that Arizona has finished in the top five in the conference and the first time since 2005. The 2004 team finished tied for first and the 2005 team finished tied for fifth.
Arizona has been on the losing end of things just five times this season, which is the fewest in school history for the regular season. Also, Arizona's 12 victories is the second-most in school history.
The Wildcats have found the back of the net 33 times this season, which is the fifth-most in school history and have allowed just 24 goals, which is tied for the third-fewest ever. Arizona's goal differential of +9 is the third-best mark in school history.
Also, Arizona has had 15 players score a goal this season, which is the most in school history.
More information on the 2015 NCAA Tournament will be posted on arizonawildcats.com and ncaa.com.
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