Wednesday, December 4, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. – Looking to extend what has already become the best season in program history, Western Washington’s women’s soccer team is set to take on the University of West Florida in an NCAA Division II Final Four match on Thursday at 11 a.m. Pacific time.

WWU’s match will follow the first semifinal game of the day, featuring Grand Valley State and American International at 8 a.m. Pacific time.

The semifinals and finals will be played at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Ga., and all live video stream links can be found in the ‘related links’ section of this article.

TEAM CAPSULES

No. 9 Western Washington University (Wash.)
Record: 20-1-1
Conference (record, place): Great Northwest Athletic Conference (13-1-0, 1st)
Road to the Final Four: Rnd. 1 – bye…Rnd. 2 – def. Seattle Pacific 2-0…Rnd. 3 – def. Cal State San Bernardino 1-0…Rnd. 4 – def. St. Edward's 2-0.
Coach: Travis Connell, 11th season
Offensive standouts: Kristin Maris, F., Sr., 10 goals, 8 assists…Catherine Miles, F., So., 15 goals, 3 assists.
Defensive standouts: Brianna Jones, D., Jr., 4 goals, 22 starts…Brina Sych, D., Sr., 6 assists, 16 starts.
Final Four history: None.

Behind GNAC Player of the Year Kristin Maris and GNAC Defensive Player of the Year Brianna Jones, WWU balances a strong attack with a stellar defense and has outscored opponents 56-8 so far this season. WWU sophomore Catherine Miles led the GNAC in goals this season with 15, and 14 different players have found the back of the net for the Vikings so far in 2013. The Vikings are making their first-ever NCAA Final Four appearance, and were a perfect 12-0-0 at home this season.

No. 3 University of West Florida (Fla.)
Record: 16-0-3
Conference (record, place): Gulf South Conference (9-0-1, 1st)
Road to the Final Four: Rnd. 1 – bye…Rnd. 2 – def. Florida Tech 2-1…Rnd. 3 – def. Rollins 1-0…Rnd. 4 – def. Wingate 3-2.
Coach: Joe Bartlinski, 13th season
Offensive standouts: Chelsea Palmer, F, Sr., 12 goals, 14 assists…Shelby Bush, M/F, Sr., 7 goals, 4 assists.
Defensive standouts: Daniela Cruz, D, Sr., 20 starts…Taylor Harbison, D, Jr., 20 starts.
Final Four history: 2012 – National Champions…2009 – National Semifinalist…2008 – National Runners-Up. 

West Florida is the defending national champion and cruised through its 2013 schedule undefeated with three draws. Senior Chelsea Palmer was the GSC co-Player of the Year and has scored a dozen goals and turned in 14 assists. Shelby Bush has contributed seven goals, and Daniela Cruz and Taylor Harbison were both first-team All-GSC picks on the Argonauts’ back line.

No. 1 Grand Valley State University (Mich.)
Record: 22-0-1
Conference (record, place): Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (12-0-0, 1st)
Road to the Final Four: Rnd. 1 – bye…Rnd. 2 – def. Rockhurst 5-0…Rnd. 3 – def. Quincy 2-1…Rnd. 4 – def. Minnesota-Duluth 2-1.
Coach: Dave DiIanni, 11th season
Offensive standouts: Jenny Shaba, F, Jr., 14 goals, 12 assists…Marti Corby, M, Fr., 11 goals, 4 assists.
Defensive standouts: Kayla Kimble, D, Sr., 20 starts…Tayler Ward, D, Sr., 23 starts.
Final Four history: 2012 – National Semifinalist…2011 – National Runners-Up…2010 – National Champions…2009 – National Champions…2007 – National Semifinalist…2006 – National Runners-Up.

With a near-perfect 22-0-1 record this season, Grand Valley State has enjoyed a sustained spot at the top of the NSCAA top-25 poll for the majority of the 2013 season. The Lakers swept the GLIAC all-conference awards, with Jenny Shaba earning GLIAC Player of the Year, Kayla Kimble being named Defensive Player of the Year, Abbey Miller earning Goalkeeper of the Year, and Dave DiIanni being named Coach of the Year. Grand Valley State won back-to-back NCAA national titles from 2009-2010, and narrowly missed its third-straight as it was the runner-up in 2011. The Lakers have been to the Final Four every year since 2009, and have compiled a 106-4-14 record during that time span. 

No. 13 American International College (Mass.)
Record: 18-2-2
Conference (record, place): Northeast-10 Conference (11-1-2, 2nd)
Road to the Final Four: Rnd. 1 – bye…Rnd. 2 – def. Bridgeport 2-0…Rnd. 3 – def. Saint Rose 2-0…Rnd. 4 – def. Slippery Rock 1-0.
Coach: Matt Johnson, 8th season
Offense: Sonia Basma, F, Jr., 19 goals, 11 assists…Caroline Boyce, F, Sr., 9 goals, 11 assists.
Defense: Samantha Tabak, GK, Jr., 22 starts…Romina Bell, D, So., 22 starts.
Final Four history: None.

Making its first Final Four appearance, American International relies on one of the most dynamic scoring threats in the NCAA in Sonia Basma. The junior forward ranks fifth in Division II in goals scored with 19, and is tied with teammate Caroline Boyce for the team lead in assists with 11. Goalkeeper Samantha Tabak leads a defensive unit that has allowed just six goals all season, as she has recorded 16 shutouts thus far.