MVNU (11-7-1) is seeded third and will face sixth-seeded Asbury (Ky.) College in the first round at 4:30 p.m. The Lady Cougars are led by junior forward Kristy Brandolini (13 goals and 12 assists), sophomore forward Page Miller (11 goals and five assists), senior goalkeeper Krysti Wilson (1.14 goals against average), and senior midfielders Allison Elifritz (six goals and three assists) and Allie Warnemunde (five goals and two assists).

Asbury will enter the first round match with a 14-5-1 overall record. Miranda Wiley leads the team with 22 goals and seven assists, while Carol Fogler and Andrea Howell each have scored seven goals. Rachel Woodward has posted a 0.88 goals against average in goal while helping the team post 10 shutouts.

The MVNU-Asbury winner will meet the winner of the match between second-seeded Indiana Wesleyan University (17-6-0) and seventh-seeded Palm Beach Atlantic (Fla.) University (11-11-0) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., while the two losers will also meet on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. In other first round match-ups, top-seeded Trinity International (Ill.) University (18-6-0) will take on eighth-seeded Dallas Baptist (Texas) University (10-10-0), while fourth-seeded Judson (Ill.) College (15-5-0) will square off with fifth-seeded The Master’s (Calif.) College (10-8-0).

“It is great to be going back to the NCCAA National Tournament after missing out last season,” said MVNU head coach Jonathan Meade, who was named the NCCAA East Region Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Cougars to the East Region title. “This is what we train so hard for - a chance to compete and win a national championship.”

“I am especially happy for our senior class,” Meade added. “They have been excellent leaders this year keeping our focus on the prize. They came in as freshmen and won a national championship and now they have the opportunity to end their careers with a second national title. That is something I think they will remember for a long time.”