Washington University Women’s Soccer Hosts NCAA First and Second Rounds, Nov. 15-16; Bears Face Principia on Saturday at 5 p.m.

St. Louis, Mo., November 10, 2008 — The No. 8 Washington University in St. Louis women's soccer team will make its third-consecutive and eighth overall appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship, as announced Monday by the NCAA Division III Selection Committee. The Bears will host first and second round action, Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 15-16, at Francis Field.         Washington U., ranked No. 8 in the final NSCAA/adidas top-25 poll, earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the University Athletic Association (UAA) for the third-straight year. The Bears posted an overall record of 14-3-1, including a 6-1 mark in UAA play.         The Bears will take on Principia College in the opening round on Saturday at 5 p.m., followed by No. 17 Rhodes College and Illinois Wesleyan University at 7:30 p.m.         Principia (19-1) earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship after winning the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) tournament with a 1-0 double overtime victory over Webster University. The Panthers are making their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Washington U. defeated Principia, 3-1, in the teams' only meeting on Oct. 7 in Elsah, Ill.         Rhodes (14-4-1) is making their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Tournament championship with a 3-1 victory over Millsaps College. Washington U. posted a 1-0 victory over Rhodes on Oct. 25 at Francis Field.         Illinois Wesleyan (15-6) received an at-large bid after suffering a 1-0 loss to No. 22 Wheaton College in the championship game of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) tournament. The Titans will be making their second NCAA Tournament appearance in school history.         The winners of Saturday's games will meet on Sunday at 6 p.m., for a berth into the Sectional Semifinals. Ticket prices will be $6 for adults and $3 for students. SCHEDULE Saturday         5 p.m. – Principia College vs. Washington University         7:30 p.m. – Illinois Wesleyan University vs. Rhodes College         Sunday   6 p.m. – Winner of game one vs. winner of game two --------------------------------- Christopher Mitchell Director, Sports Information Washington University in St. Louis (314) 935-5077 (Office) (618) 560-9280 (Cell) (314) 935-4600 (Fax) mitchell@wustl.edu (Email) http://bearsports.wustl.edu