Carson-Newman, Tusculum make NCAA DII Women’s Soccer Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS, IN-- The South Atlantic Conference champion Carson-Newman Lady Eagles will host the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional at McCown Field on Friday and Sunday. The Lady Eagles will face fourth-seeded Columbus State at 2:00 on Friday, November 3. Tusculum and Armstrong Atlantic State will play the other regional game at 11:30 a.m.

The Lady Eagles (16-1-1) will face Columbus State (18-3-1) for the first time this season. The winners of both matches will play in the regional tournament final on Sunday, November 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Carson-Newman has advanced to the NCAA Women's Soccer Final Four each of the past two seasons.

Tusculum makes its second consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Pioneers (12-2-3) will face Armstrong Atlantic State University (18-3-1) at 11:30 a.m.

When Tusculum and Armstrong Atlantic meet, it will mark the second time the two teams have squared off this season. Tusculum posted a 1-0 decision over the Pirates on Oct. 9 in Greeneville.

Tusculum is a combined 3-0 against the three teams in this year's Regional. Tusculum won at Carson-Newman 3-2 on Sept. 29. TC also recorded a 3-0 home victory over Columbus State in the Pioneers' regular-season finale on Oct. 21.

For Tusculum, this marks its third postseason trip in the last four years. Tusculum made its first NCAA appearance in 2003 as the Pioneers advanced to the region final before falling to eventual national champion Kennesaw State University. Last season, Tusculum earned the top seed in the Southeast, but lost 2-0 in the opening round against Catawba College.

The winner in each region will advance to the quarterfinals to be played Saturday, November 11. The semifinals and championship games will be played November 16 and 18 at the Division II National Championships Festival in Pensacola, Florida.

Championship bracket

NCAA Southeast Region
Site: Jefferson City, Tennessee
November 3, 2006

#2 Tusculum (12-2-3) vs. #3 Armstrong Atlantic (18-3-1), 11:30 a.m.
#1 Carson Newman* (13-1-1) vs. #4 Columbus State (18-3-1), 2 p.m.

November 5, 2006
Semifinal winners, 2 p.m.