The 2017 edition of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament kicks off today with 15 matches. While there will certainly be a smattering of one-sided affairs in the opening round, there will also be a few upsets, late-game and penalty kick shootout drama. Here’s all the information you need to enjoy this weekend’s action and also a quick look at the contenders.
The Contenders
Stanford
Record: 18-0-1
Why they could hoist the trophy:
They’ve got top-level talent all over the field from senior and MAC Hermann hopeful Andi Sullivan and freshman sensation Catarina Macario to defender Tierna Davidson. While Sullivan has one of the nation’s best since her freshman campaign, Macario has been a real revelation this season for the Cardinal. The technical, dynamic forward has 14 goals and 10 assists on the season. As illustrative of the Cardinal’s talent level, Stanford is the only team to boost a goals per game and goals against average in the top 5. Stanford could be the last team standing, in short, because they are the most complete team in the tournament.
Duke
Record: 19-0-2
Why they could hoist the trophy:
After making the College Cup Final in 2015 and the 2016 quarterfinals, the Blue Devils are an experienced team. Admittedly, many members of the squad weren’t healthy for both of those campaigns but most of their starters have been involved in at least one of those runs. Imani Dorsey, recently named ACC Offensive Player of the Year, is one of the veterans of both campaigns. Her ability to go at defenders and put backlines under pressure will be key to a deep run by the Blue Devils.
UCLA
Record: 15-2-2
Why they could hoist the trophy:
The Bruins have multiple players who are capable of being the key that unlocks the opposing side’s backline. In other words, they’ve got several player makers most notably Jessie Fleming. The Canadian international not only appeared in last night’s United States vs Canada match but was the player of the match. Needless to say, a player of her caliber doesn’t come around too often. Fleming combined with other Bruins with a penchant breaking down backlines, will be a formidable challenge for any team in the tournament.
| Day | Time | Teams | Broadcast Info |
| Friday (11/10) | 6:00 pm | Rice vs Baylor | baylorbears.com |
| Friday (11/10) | 6:00 pm | North Texas vs Texas | Longhorn Network(WatchESPN) |
| Friday (11/10) | 6:00 pm | Hofstra vs Auburn | SEC+(WatchESPN) |
| Friday (11/10) | 6:00 pm | South Alabama vs Florida | SEC+(WatchESPN) |
| Friday (11/10) | 6:00 pm | Ohio State vs Vanderbilt | OhioStateBuckeyes.com |
| Friday (11/10) | 6:00 pm | Alabama State vs South Carolina | SEC+(WatchESPN) |
| Friday (11/10) | 7:00 pm | Princeton vs Monmouth | Ivy League Network |
| Friday (11/10) | 7:00 pm | Clemson vs Alabama | www.facebook.com |
| Friday (11/10) | 7:00 pm | Ole Miss vs Florida State | seminoles.com |
| Friday (11/10) | 7:00 pm | Georgetown vs Wake Forest | wakeforestsports.com |
| Friday (11/10) | 7:30 pm | Penn State vs Stony Brook | gopsusports.com |
| Friday (11/10) | 8:00 pm | Wisconsin vs Toledo | BTN2Go |
| Friday (11/10) | 8:30 pm | Texas A&M vs Lamar University | SEC+(WatchESPN) |
| Friday (11/10) | 9:00 pm | Arizona vs TCU | PAC-12.com |
| Friday (11/10) | 10:00 pm | UCLA vs San Diego State | PAC-12.com |
| Saturday (11/11) | 1:00 pm | High Point vs UNC | ACC DN/(WatchESPN) |
| Saturday (11/11) | 1:00 pm | Arkansas vs NC State | SEC+(WatchESPN) |
| Saturday (11/11) | 1:00 pm | WVU vs Bucknell | WVUsports.com |
| Saturday (11/11) | 1:00 pm | Missouri State vs Oklahoma State | Youtube |
| Saturday (11/11) | 1:00 pm | USF vs FGCU | USFBulls.com |
| Saturday (11/11) | 3:00 pm | USC vs Eastern Washington | PAC-12.com |
| Saturday (11/11) | 4:00 pm | Pepperdine vs CSU Fullerton | WCC Sports |
| Saturday (11/11) | 4:30 pm | Cal vs Santa Clara | WCC Sports |
| Saturday (11/11) | 5:00 pm | Rutgers vs LaSalle | BTN2GO |
| Saturday (11/11) | 5:00 pm | Murray State vs Tennessee | SEC+ (WatchESPN) |
| Saturday (11/11) | 6:00 pm | Notre Dame vs IUPUI | ACC DN (WatchESPN) |
| Saturday (11/11) | 7:00 pm | Duke vs UNC-G | ACC DN/WatchESPN |
| Saturday (11/11) | 7:00 pm | St. Francis vs UVA | ACC DN/WatchESPN |
| Saturday (11/11) | 7:00 pm | UCF vs Washington State | UCF Knights TV |
| Saturday (11/11) | 10:00 pm | Stanford vs Utah Valley | |
| Sunday (11/12) | 2:00 pm | Butler vs Northwestern | BTN2Go |
| Sunday (11/12) | 2:00 pm | Colorado vs Denver | PAC-12.com |
