Women’s Soccer NCAA Tournament Preview Versus #12 Middlebury

WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Westfield State University women's soccer team is set to face #12 Middlebury College in an NCAA Tournament first round match on Saturday at 11:00 A.M. from Allan Dragone Track and Field Complex in Middlebury, Vt.

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Paths to the Tournament: Westfield State (9-5-6) enters the NCAA Tournament with the automatic qualifying bid from the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Owls completed a 6-0-2 conference regular season, earning the second seed in the MASCAC postseason. Westfield shut out both Bridgewater State (2-0) in the semifinals and then Worcester State (1-0) in the conference title game to secure their spot in the field of 64 teams.

Middlebury (11-3-3) comes into the tournament as the number 12 team in the country according to the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25. The Panthers were named as one of 21 at-large bids for the tournament field, posting a 5-2-3 mark in the loaded New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). Middlebury received the third overall seed in the NESCAC tournament, defeating Hamilton 2-0 in the first round before falling to #10 Williams College 2-1 in the tournament semifinal.

In the NCAA Tournament Spotlight: The Owls are back in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the last five seasons and are making their 11^th appearance as a program, all under current head coach Todd Ditmar. Westfield has reached the tournament second round twice, most recently in 2022 when the Owls defeated Emerson College 2-1 in double overtime. In 2011, Westfield took down Stevens via penalty kicks to get through to the second round. The last appearance the Owls made in 2023 came against fifth-ranked Messiah, falling 5-1.

Middlebury is making its 14^th appearance on the national stage, their first since the 2021 season. The Panthers have reached the quarterfinals four times, most recently in 2018 where they were the national runner-up to NESCAC foe Tufts. In their last trip to the dance, the Panthers advanced into the second round after defeating Lynchburg 3-2 where they would drop a 3-0 decision to #14 Misericordia. Middlebury is one of six NESCAC programs that clinched a spot in the national tournament field this year.

Common Opponents: The Owls and Panthers played just two common opponents during the course of the season: Castleton and Williams. Westfield went 1-1 in those matches, a 1-0 victory against Castleton followed by a 4-0 defeat against then #14 Williams. The Panthers handled Castleton 5-0 early in the season and lost two one-goal matches to Williams. Middlebury faced six ranked opponents during the season, compiling a 2-2-2 mark in those contests.

A Pesky Parliament of Owls: Westfield has leaned on their team defense as a major strength throughout the season and arrive in the NCAA Tournament having shut out their last four opponents. The Owls are allowing 0.95 goals per game, blanking ten opponents in 20 matches. The leader of the back end is senior keeper Julia Robak (Chicopee, Mass.). Robak, who was recently named the MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year, has recorded a 0.67 goals against average across 17 matches including an .861 save percentage and a 9-3-4 overall record.

Robak is joined by a pair of all-conference backs in Katie Slattery (Wilbraham, Mass.) and Kylie Tomasetti (Northborough, Mass.). Tomasetti has dipped into the scoring efforts as well for Westfield, collecting three goals and two assists while serving primarily as the Owls sweeper.

The Owls have several players making return appearances to the NCAA Tournament including seniors' Morgan Berthiaume (Webster, Mass.) and Kiana Muratsuka (Wahiawa, Hawaii). Berthiaume scored both semifinal goals against Bridgewater and has 11 points. Muratsuka is the team's leading assist getter with six, adding three goals for a 12-point output.

In her first season with the Owls, rookie Liv DeMember (West Boylston, Mass.) will embark on her first national tournament match after a standout first-year campaign. The MASCAC Rookie of the Year leads the Owls with four goals and 13 points, chipping in five assists as well.

Panthers on the Prowl: Middlebury also puts forth a smothering defensive effort, allowing only eight goals in 17 matches for a 0.47 goals against average. The Panthers have relied on several first-year and second-season athletes in scoring, beginning with rookie forward Olivia Colby who leads the team with ten points and six assists. Middlebury's leading goal scorer is sophomore Taya McClellen who recorded four goals, two of which served as game-winning marker.

Breaking down the middle and back end of the Panthers formation will be a tall task for the Owls as Middlebury enters the tournament with a pair of NESCAC all-conference defenders in Wynne Braemer and Roshann Purcell along with second-team keeper Livia Davidson. Davidson owns a 0.48 goals against average and a .912 save percentage in 15 games.

Westfield will also have to contend with the midfield duo of Stella Espinasse and Gigi Day. Espinasse was the Panthers all-conference first team selection.

A Look at Hartford vs #15 Rochester: In the other first round match in the Middlebury pod, Hartford will face number 15 Rochester N.Y. at 1:30 P.M. from Allan DragoneTrack and Field Complex.

Hartford (14-3-2) received the automatic qualifying bid out of the Conference of New England, defeating Endicott 2-0 in the title match to punch their ticket into the tournament. The Hawks have been a high-flying offensive unit this season, averaging nearly three goals per game and are led by senior forward Rebecca Opdenbrouw who's tallied 14 goals and ten assists to lead in both categories.

Rochester travels to Middlebury as the 15^th-ranked team in Division III as part of the United Soccer Coaches top 25 poll. The Yellow Jackets finished the regular season with an 8-3-6 mark and a 2-3-2 record in the United Athletic Association (UAA) to receive an at-large bid into the tournament (The UAA does not have a conference tournament for women's soccer). Sophomores' Hanna Nagashima and Natalie Santangelo both pace Rochester with three goals and four assists.

The winners of both matches will advance into the second round of the tournament on Saturday at 1:00 P.M. with a trip to the sweet 16 at stake.

Visit WestfieldStateOwls.com for the latest updates and information for the Owls women's soccer team.