FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MATTHEWS, N.C. - For the first time since 2013, the Northeast-10 will be represented in both the men's and women's DII NCAA soccer championship semifinals when play kicks off Thursday. The defending national champion Franklin Pierce Ravens are the No. 1 seed on the men's side. Adelphi, making its first semifinals appearance since 2004, is the No. 2 seed for the women.
Franklin Pierce, undefeated in regulation for more than 25 months, opens semifinal action at 5 PM Thursday against the Lewis Flyers from the Great Lakes Valley Conference. FPU advanced to North Carolina after NCAA championship wins over Bloomsburg, Post and Gannon. The Flyers upset No. 2 seed Illinois-Springfiled on PK's in the second round before also upsetting Indianapolis and toppling Maryville in the Super-Region final.
The Ravens and Flyers, based out of suburban Chicago, have not met since a 1-1 draw in August of 2003. The Ravens won their only previous meeting in 1997.
A national title win for Franklin Pierce would give the crimson and gray their second in as many seasons, a first in DII since Southern Connecticut State in 1998 and 1999. The NE10 has claimed 10 men's title since the championship began being held in 1972.
Ravens senior GK Karl Vernet previews the team's appreance among the NCAA's final four.
On the women's side, Adelphi makes its first appearance in the national semifinals since it fell, 3-2, to Metro State in the 2004 national title game. The Panthers are one of three NE10 teams, along with St. Rose and Franklin Pierce, to advance to the final four. Adelphi also advanced this far in 1992, when both the Panthers and Ravens were among the last four teams. Adelphi fell, 3-2, to Barry in that season's final.
The Panther's are the No. 2 seed in this year's field behind Florida Tech. Adelphi is the most historically experienced program amonst the four teams headed to Matthews. Florida Tech has only appeared in the 2010 semifinals prior, while Point Loma and Washburn are making their debuts this deep in the championship.
Washburn's Ichabods await Adelphi on Thursday. The Topeka-based school has never faced Adelphi in its history and, after losing to Emporia State in the MIAA semifinals, bounced back to beat four clubs, including Emproia State, en route to it's region championship.
Adelphi earned its spot in the semis with an upset of the No. 1 team in the nation, Saint Rose, before a 1-0 win over Gannon.
Adelphi senior defender Kayla Mushorn previews the team's appearance in the NCAA semifinals.
Between Franklin Pierce and Saint Rose, the NE10 has won six NCAA women's soccer crowns.
Live broadcasts of the national semifinals and championship are available here.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 12 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
