NCAA Atlantic Region Preview: #2 Gannon vs #7 Frostburg State

ERIE, Pa. – The Frostburg State Women's Soccer team is set to face Gannon in the NCAA Tournament First Round on Friday afternoon.

How They Got Here: Frostburg comes into the game as the seven seed in the Atlantic Region, having clinched their fifth straight MEC North Division title. FSU fell in the MEC Semifinals, however received an at-large bid after sporting a record of 15-3-2, including an 11-1-2 MEC record, which was the second-best mark in the conference.

GU, the two seed in the region, took the PSAC West Division title at 14-1-4, going unbeaten in the conference with a 10-0-4 record. They too fell in the Semifinals of the PSAC tournament, dropping a 2-1 decision to Kutztown.

The Matchup: It is the first time in program history that the two teams will face each other.

The Players: FSU is led by the MEC's top defensive unit, including Defensive Player of the Year Cat Smith, which has allowed just 12 goals this season. Joining her on the defensive line is Second Team All-MEC selection Mei Homman, while First Teamer Katie Sterne is between the sticks as the conference's leader in save percentage (.862) and goals against (8). Offensively, All-MEC Honorable Mention Madi Allen leads the team in scoring with eight goals, while First Team midfielder Carly Gillette is second on seven goals and an assist.

The Golden Knights' attack features PSAC West Freshman of the Year and First Team member Jessie Watkins (12 goals, 6 assists) along with Brooklyn Respecki (12 goals, 8 assists). Defensively, Destinee Robinson leads the way as the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year, where she is joined by First Teamer Hannah Shepard, while Morgan Sinan stands as the last line of defense.

The Rest of the Field: Across the other matches of the Atlantic Region, one seed Shepherd received a bye into the second round, where they will host the winner of four seed West Virginia State and five seed Indiana (Pa.). In the other Erie pod matchup, three seed Kutztown faces six seed Charleston (WV).

2024 NCAA WOMEN'S SOCCER ATLANTIC REGION SEEDINGS
#1 Shepherd, #2 Gannon, #3 Kutztown, #4 West Virginia State, #5 Indiana (Pa.), #6 Charleston (WV), #7 Frostburg State

Friday, NOV. 10 – FIRST ROUND
#3 KU vs #6 UC – 12 p.m.
#4 WVSU vs #5 IUP – 1 p.m.
#2 GU vs #7 FSU – 3 p.m.