BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Howard’s (13-7-2) first test in the 2015 NCAA Soccer Tournament will be against Virginia (16-1-2) Friday, November 13 at 5 p.m. CST. in Charlottesville, Virginia, at Klöckner Stadium.
The Bison were granted an at-large bid after defeating Alabama State 2-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship. Anna Mitchell and Sara Vaughan each scored goals during the match, while Mackenzie Diotte was credited the win, saving six goal attempts.
This marks HOWD’s second consecutive conference title but first NCAA Tournament appearance as a SWAC affiliate member. Last season the Bison pushed past Prairie View A&M in the SWAC finals, but due to it being their first year with the Conference, the Bison were not able to attend the tournament, sending the Lady Panthers in their place.
This season, HOWD is led by Kela Gray and, tournament MVP, Dytria Ruddy. In her first season with the Bison, Gray is ranked nationally by the NCAA in total goals (17) and holds top positions for the Conference in shots (75), points (41), goals and game-winning goals (4).
Both student-athletes helped Howard become the 3rd highest scoring team in the nation – the second highest being its NCAA Tournament opponent, Virginia.
The Cavaliers enter the matchup as the 2014 NCAA Tournament Runner Up.
Makenzy Doniak is the student-athlete to watch on the Virginia squad, managing 10 goals and 10 assists on the season. Doniak also aided in the Cavaliers’ nationally ranked seats for the NCAA in won-lost-tied percentage (1st at .895), assists per game (2nd at 2.89), points per game (2nd at 9.42), scoring offense (2ndat 3.26) and total assists (2nd with 55).
Watch the game live at Cavaliers Live.
COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS
No comments:
Post a Comment