The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Fifth-ranked Soccer earns number one seed in 2006 NCAA Tournament
11.06.2006 | Soccer
INDIANAPOLIS -- The fifth-ranked Texas women's soccer team (17-3-2) earned one of four national number one seeds in 2006 NCAA Women's Soccer Championship and will open first-round play against Northeast Conference Champion Long Island University on Friday, Nov. 10, on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Conn.
Texas head soccer coach Chris Petrucelli has led the Longhorns to their first, No. 1 seed in program history and UT's sixth consecutive NCAA tournament. The Longhorns enter the NCAA postseason as one of the hottest teams in the nation, boasting an undefeated record (9-0-2) in their last 11 matches. UT earned its first national seed in 2004 when they were seeded 12th.
"I was a little surprised when I heard that we were seeded that high and playing in Storrs," said Petrucelli. "I knew we would be seeded somewhere, but I didn't quite know that we would be that high. Last night we prepared the team by letting them know that it doesn't matter where we're playing now, we're just happy to be playing at this time of the year. We are excited about it and it is a great statement for us."
Texas earned one of the 30 automatic bids in the 64-team field after winning its first Big 12 Soccer Championship, defeating the No. 23 Colorado Buffaloes, 5-4 in penalty kicks, after a 1-1 deadlock through 110 minutes of regulation and two overtimes, at Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio on Sunday, Nov. 5.
At the four-team sub-regional in Storrs, host Connecticut (10-7-3) will face Ivy League Champion Columbia (10-4-3) in the other first-round match Friday. Times for both rounds will be announced later on this week. Friday's winners advance to Sunday's (Nov. 12) second-round play, also at Storrs.
The winner of Sunday's second round contest will face the winner of the Utah sub-regional, which includes No. 4 seed, Utah, Idaho State, BYU and Portland.
LIU makes its second NCAA Tournament appearance in school history, entering the postseason with a 13-7-1 overall record. The Blackbirds earned an automatic berth to the tournament after winning its second Northeast Conference soccer title in the last seven years.
Texas has never played a match against any of the three schools although Petrucelli is very familiar with the Connecticut program from his days as the head coach at Notre Dame. He stands 7-2-1 overall and 5-1-0 in postseason matches.
Ticket prices at Storrs are $7 for adults, $5 for students, seniors and youth ages 13-18 and $3 for youth under 12. For further information or to purchase tickets, contact the UConn Athletic Ticket Office at (860) 486-2724.
