The host Lady Cougars (12-4-1), who claimed a share of the American Mideast Conference South Division regular-season title and are ranked 25th in the final NAIA national poll which came out this week, will take on fourth-seeded Notre Dame College in the first match of the two-day tournament. The MVNU offensive attack is led by the high-scoring duo of senior forward Kristy Brandolini (12 goals and 14 assists) and freshman forward Jessica Estep (19 goals and 3 assists). Junior Page Miller (7 goals and 6 assists) leads a solid midfield group, while senior Stacy Robey, junior Kelly Sgambellone, and sophomores Angie Misamore and Nikki Bruscino anchor the Lady Cougars’ back line along with freshman goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen as the team has posted seven shutouts.

Notre Dame (13-3-2) advanced to the NAIA Region IX Final Four with a 1-0 victory over Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) College last Saturday on a penalty kick by junior midfielder Nikki Tizzano. The Falcons finished second in the AMC North Division with a 6-1 conference mark. They are led by Tizzano, senior defender Ann Brackman, and freshman goalkeeper Emilie LaMarche (0.49 goals against average), who has posted 11 shutouts and allowed just 10 goals. Notre Dame and MVNU met earlier this season with the Lady Cougars’ prevailing 3-0 on the road on October 3.

The second semifinal match at 2:00 p.m. on Friday will feature AMC North Division champion Houghton (N.Y.) College, who received votes in the final poll, versus NAIA No. 20 Ohio Dominican University, who tied MVNU for the AMC South Division title.

Ohio Dominican (14-3-0), the second seed, advanced to the NAIA Region IX Final Four with a 2-0 victory over Urbana University last Saturday. The Lady Panthers are led by senior goalkeeper Krissie Sparks (0.70 goals against average), who has allowed just 11 goals all season with 12 shutouts on her way to being named the AMC South Division Player of the Year. Senior Carli Leonhardt and freshman Stephanie Moyer help anchor the back line, while junior forwards Jen Burgei (9 goals and 2 assists) and Nikki Bresser (5 goals and 5 assists) and freshman midfielder Anna Cameron (1 goal and 3 assists) help to lead the team’s offensive attack.

Third-seeded Houghton (11-2-2), who has been the perennial power in NAIA Region IX with seven trips to the NAIA national tournament since 1998, is led by junior forward Hannah Swift (17 goals and 6 assists), who was selected as the AMC North Division Player of the Year. Senior defender Rebecca Smith (3 goals and 5 assists) and freshman midfielder Lauren Haggerty (4 goals and 3 assists) are also among the team’s many stars. At the beginning of the season, Houghton dropped a 2-0 decision at Ohio Dominican on August 24.

"Hosting the regional tournament is a very exciting moment for our program,” said MVNU head coach Jonathan Meade. "Tournament time is always fun and bringing it to the MVNU campus for our fans to experience is especially nice.”

"I would like to thank W.g. Grinders, our team sponsor, for stepping forward and helping provide tournament t-shirts to all the teams as well as providing reduced prices at their restaurant for teams and spectators. The team and I really appreciate W.g. Grinders and their support.”

The two winners of Friday’s matches will advance to the region championship match on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The region winner receives an automatic berth into the NAIA national tournament in Daytona Beach, Florida, on November 14-20.