MVNU (14-5-1), which is the second seed in the tournament, earned the right to defend its 2006 NCCAA national title with a 2-0 victory over Nyack (N.Y.) College in the NCCAA East Region Tournament championship match. The Lady Cougars’ offensive attack is led by senior forward Kristy Brandolini (14 goals and 15 assists), freshman forward Jessica Estep (21 goals and 3 assists), and junior midfielder Page Miller (8 goals and 7 assists). Meanwhile, the MVNU defense posted eight shutouts and allowed just 26 goals in 20 matches and was anchored by senior defender Stacy Robey, junior defender Kelly Sgambellone, sophomore defender Angie Misamore, and freshman goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen (1.27 goals against average).

"The team and I are very excited to be going back to the National Tournament this year,” said MVNU head coach Jonathan Meade. "I think any time a team is given the opportunity to defend their national championship from the previous season makes it a special tournament. I am really proud of this team. They have shown consistent progress all season. Their progress is a testament to their determination and dedication to playing good soccer.”

The Lady Cougars will take on seventh-seeded Palm Beach Atlantic in the first round. The Sailfish (7-9-2), who will be making their fourth appearance in the NCCAA National Tournament in the past five years, earned their berth by winning the NCCAA South Region title with victories over Emmanuel (Ga.) College and Southern Wesleyan (S.C.) University.

Friday’s other first round match-ups include third-seeded Indiana Wesleyan University (18-2-1), an at-large selection, versus sixth-seeded Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) University (13-7-2), the NCCAA North Central Region champion, at 2:30 p.m. At 5:00 p.m., fourth-seeded Trinity Christian (Ill.) College (17-5-2), an at-large selection, will take on fifth-seeded Hope International (Calif.) University, the NCCAA West Region champion. Then, top-seeded Spring Arbor (Mich.) University (15-2-3) will close out the first round against eighth-seeded Dallas Baptist (Texas) University (7-12-1), the NCCAA Central Region champion, at 7:45 p.m.

"This will be the toughest National Tournament that we have ever participated in,” said Meade. "There is not a weak team in the tournament, and our first round match-up against Palm Beach Atlantic will really stretch us to be at our best.”

On Saturday, the action continues with loser’s bracket matches at noon and 2:30 p.m. with the semifinals to follow at 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. The tournament will conclude on Monday with four matches culminating with the national championship match at 4:30 p.m.