Emmanuel To Meet Nationally Ranked Rochester In First Round of NCAA DIII Women's Soccer Tournament
Release Courtesy of the Emmanuel College Athletic Communications Department
INDIANAPOLIS – Emmanuel women's soccer is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007 and have drawn the No. 15 University of Rochester Yellowjackets in the First Round of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship, as announced by the NCAA Office on Monday afternoon.
As the bracket unfolded, the champions of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) waited until the final host site was announced to hear their name. The University of Rochester plays host to Emmanuel, Amherst, and SUNY New Paltz on Saturday, Nov. 16, and Sunday, Nov. 17.
Unlike the visiting teams headed to Rochester, the Yellowjackets received an at-large bid out of the University Athletic Association (UAA). Emmanuel, Amherst, and SUNY New Paltz all received their conferences automatic bid after winning their respective conference tournaments.
In the newly developed NCAA Power Rankings (NPI), Rochester enters the weekend ranked 11th in NPI, followed by Amherst in 26th, SUNY New Paltz at 41st, and finally Emmanuel at 62nd.
Rochester finished their regular season at 11-3-3 overall, finishing third in the UAA. Amherst claimed the New England Small College Athletic Conference Championship (NESCAC) and enter the weekend at 11-1-6. SUNY New Paltz came away with the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Championship and a record of 15-2-2. Emmanuel sits at 18-2-1 after their GNAC Championship winning performance.
The Saints head into the weekend with Division III's highest ranked offense, leading all institutions in goals per game, assists per game, and points per game. Emmanuel is also the only Division III school with at least 100 goals scored this season, sitting at 105 goals in 21 games. They are also tied for the third most wins among all Division III teams.
Rochester, who comes from arguably the most difficult conference in the country, ranks 20th in save percentage while holding teams to 0.86 goals per game. Seven of the UAA's eight teams qualified for the 2024 NCAA Tournament while five of those programs rank inside the top-15 in NPI.
All First and Second Round games will be streamed live on NCAA.com. The winners of Saturday's matches will play on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. for a spot in the final 16 teams.