Coming Wednesday: Sixteen Stars and Sixteen You Should Know About
Coming Thursday: From 64 to 1 – How It (Might) Go Down

Boy, do I wish I could devote all my time to previewing what looks like a wonderfully intriguing tournament. But since I can’t, here’s a ranking of the thirty-two first round games. From the barnburners to the bonafide stinkers.

***** – Potential Pantheon Matches

(2) Boston College vs Boston University (4:00) – The regular season match at the home of the Terriers was a gem, and the rematch could be even better. BU has been criminally underrated by the Selection Committee and should really have avoided a seeded team in the first round. The front line of Jessica Luscinski and Lisa Kevorkian is as good as any in the country and the defense has shut down team after team over the conference season. But the Eagles are a bigger challenge than any America East foe BU has played over the past month or so. Even so, BC’s spotty league form has raised concerns that they’re an upset victim waiting to happen. This cross-town derby should fill the stands and passions figure to run high with so much on the line.

Memphis vs Oregon State (6:00) – Oregon State probably showed more of their true colors in the battle with Stanford rather than their follow-up loss to Cal. The Beavers have a tenacious defense and a promising strike force with Chelsea Buckland and Jenna Richardson. Massive keeper Colleen Boyd is an imposing presence in goal and has been a bit part of OSU’s success this season. The Beavers get a big challenge in the first round though, facing off against a Memphis team celebrating another CUSA Tournament title. The Tigers have plenty of international flair with the Strnadova sisters and Christabel Oduro prowling the pitch, while Ashley Berra provides leadership and skill up front. Brooks Monaghan’s worked wonders in Memphis and has a side that has the potential to emerge on top in the regional. This match is worthy of a second round game but someone’s season will reach an unfortunate end on Friday.

(4) Notre Dame vs New Mexico (7:30) – Irish eyes won’t be smiling in South Bend if Randy Waldrum’s team comes out again like they did against UConn in the Big East Tournament. ND sleepwalked through a stunning defeat that had the Irish boss in a foul mood afterward. If a repeat occurs, the hosts may find themselves questioning where it all went wrong in a long winter. New Mexico is a tough, physical team that has one of the great underrated forwards in the country in Jennifer Williams. The Lobos may also have the best keeper in the regional in Kelli Cornell, a big reason why New Mexico is making their debut at the Big Dance. The Irish will be deserved favorites, but are far from a sure thing if they don’t come out on top of their game.

**** – Worth Paying For

Santa Clara vs Long Beach State (7:30) – As of late, Santa Clara have been stumbling around like Robert Downey Jr. in Less Than Zero. The loss of key defender Jenny LaPonte to injury was followed by a loss to Loyola Marymount that saw Bianca Henninger sent off. And then without their star keeper, SCU crashed against a Pepperdine side playing for pride. If those weren’t enough to raise alarm bells, then the opposition could also do so for Jerry Smith’s side. Long Beach State hasn’t exactly been the most consistent team this year (a loss to…UC Davis?) but have shown an innate ability to win against some stiff competition like Virginia Tech and Arizona State. Most importantly, LBSU came up big when they had to against UC Irvine to make the Big Dance. If the “good” 49ers show up, they might earn the opportunity to get a crack at killing the biggest giant there is this year.

UCLA vs BYU (Thursday, 8:30) – BYU probably aren’t the College Cup contenders we thought they were at the beginning of the season, but one only needs to look at their win over Marquette to see what this team is capable of. They probably would have liked to have been staying in the cozy confines of Provo but will instead travel west to Los Angeles for a date with underachieving UCLA. Fourth place in the Pac-10 wasn’t what the Westwood faithful had in mind at the beginning of the year, even if the team had lost Lauren Cheney and much of last year’s formidable defense. UCLA’s magic at Drake faltered as well, as the team lost to Pepperdine on home turf earlier in the year. The physical Bruins will find opponents that give as well as they get, as the Cougars are not a team to be pushed around and are bound to try and muscle Sydney Leroux around. If Leroux isn’t firing, that’s a problem for a team with few proven offensive outlets other than their talisman.

Wisconsin vs Wisconsin-Milwaukee (6:00) – It’s another state derby and another rematch between these two sides with different M.O.s. The Badgers have done it with defense, piling up nine clean sheets in a row at one point this year and twelve overall. The Panthers have ridden the goals of prolific striker Sarah “Apple” Hagen to another NCAA Tournament berth, albeit not as smoothly as they would have hoped. Milwaukee had to go the auto bid route after losing twice in league play against much less fancied opposition. Wisconsin faced a do-or-die situation before their regular season meeting after a terrible start but used a 1-0 win to reinvigorate their season. It’s really all about Hagen. If she can get the better of the Badger defense, her side stands a good chance of the upset. If not, it’ll likely be an early exit for the Panthers.

(4) Wake Forest vs San Diego (8:00) – Wake Forest’s prize for winning the ACC Tournament is a trip out west and a murderous regional. The Toreros are a deceptively tough side, as their wins over Marquette and USC (twice) can attest to. With talisman Stephanie Ochs pulling the strings and Courtney Parsons capable of brilliant displays in goal, USD are a prime bet for a possible upset. Making things murkier for Wake is just how fresh they’ll be after three games in five days, two of which went to penalties. The Demon Deacons boast one of the best strikers in the country and a prime contender for National Freshman of the Year in Katie Stengel. But no matter how good Stengel is, if she and her teammates are still feeling the fatigue of the week past, they could be heading for an early exit. San Diego would like to avoid penalties though given Aubrey Bledsoe’s eye-popping penalty display against Maryland last Sunday.

Dayton vs Virginia Tech (8:00) – Rematches make everything better and the Flyers and Hokies will renew hostilities on Friday night after Virginia Tech’s 3-1 win on Dayton’s home field in the 2009 NCAA Tournament Second Round. The Flyers boast one of the nation’s most dangerous goalscoring threats in Colleen Williams, a sophomore who scored seventeen goals and had eleven assists in a sparkling second season with the Flyers. Virginia Tech can thank a couple wins over Maryland and Boston College mid-season for their participation in this year’s tournament. The Hokies swooned later on in the year and look to be a spent force after backing over the line to the Big Dance. Unless they find their form in a hurry, it looks like an early exit for Kelly Cagle’s side.

Illinois vs USC (5:00) – The veritable box of chocolates, as nobody quite knows what you’re going to get from either of these sides on a match-to-match basis. The Illini have alternated wins and losses for five straight matches and while good enough to beat Ohio State in Columbus, also were mediocre enough to lose to UConn, Michigan, and Minnesota. Vanessa DiBernardo’s eleven goals paced Illinois, and with only one other player above three goals on the year, Janet Rayfield’s team will need their freshman star to be on-target to stand a chance. USC’s biggest mark this season was likely playing in the probably match of the season against Cal in Los Angeles earlier this season. It’s been goal-by-committee for the former national champs this year with eleven players having scored multiple goals but also with nobody over five goals. The big difference could be in between the pipes in this one. Illinois can depend on senior Alexandra Kapicka, while USC relies on freshman Shelby Church in goal. Church hasn’t been bad for the Women of Troy, but hasn’t been on this big a stage before either.

*** – A Nice Way To Spend A Few Hours

South Florida vs Auburn (7:00) – It’s one of the last teams in the Big Dance against one who used a late season surge to join the field of sixty-four. The Tigers rode wins over Florida and Florida State to a tournament berth despite a lagging RPI. Auburn did well to win those big matches but must solve a downturn in form that saw them only win three of their last eight in the regular season. Junior midfielder Katy Frierson does it all for the Tigers, leading the team in goals and assists while serving as the team’s heartbeat in midfield. Auburn has a settled defense with Julie King, Heather Havron, Christine Schweer, and Sammy Towne functioning as an experienced unit with great chemistry. They’ll have to be against a South Florida team that caught lightning in a bottle to sneak in the NCAA Tournament, winning six of their last seven to soar up the RPI ratings. The Bulls boast a quick and powerful strike partnership of Chelsea Klotz and Jamaican international Venicia Reid, who was on fire during USF’s push towards the postseason. If Auburn can slow the Bulls’ forward force, they stand a very good chance of setting up a rematch with FSU in the second round.

UConn vs Hofstra (7:00) – Hofstra’s season was bracketed by two disappointing losses, a shellacking against Boston College and a capitulation against James Madison in the CAA Tournament final, but the Pride were’ perfect in between, winning eighteen straight. The Pride have had a British Invasion of sorts, using four Brits on their twenty-one player roster to romp to an at-large bid, including excellent defender Amy Turner. One defender Hofstra won’t have for the UConn match is Brooke Bendernagel, who was sent off in the loss to James Madison on Sunday. Hofstra’s one-two scoring punch of Tiffany Yovino (5’0″) and Salma Tarik (5’8″) are a combination of little and large that opponents have found hard to stop in 2010. UConn have been a roller coaster of emotions in 2010, mixing bad losses with stunning wins, most notably the Big East Quarterfinal triumph over Notre Dame. That showed the Huskies can play with anyone on their day. But if UConn, like so many other teams this year, come in on a bad day, they could get their doors blown off.

UC Irvine vs Arizona State (10:30) – Anteaters coach Scott Juniper should get some consideration for National Coach of the Year after an amazing resurrection act in Irvine. Juniper has his squad in the national spotlight after having taken over following April Heinrich’s infamous season in charge. The dangerous combo of Tanya Taylor and beanpole striker Courtney “CoCo” Goodson has helped UCI average over two goals a game through 2010. The Anteaters’ Nikki Forrest has also helped marshal a defense that has only conceded sixteen goals all year. The story of Arizona State could be summed up with this past weekend against the Los Angeles schools. A 3-0 win over USC followed by a 3-0 loss to UCLA. Flip a coin with the Sun Devils. They could either run riot on Irvine or be humbled in devastating fashion.

Minnesota vs Creighton (7:00) – The Bluejays are largely an unknown commodity (they didn’t play an uRPI Top 100 team all season) but do boast something the Gophers really don’t have: a true threat up top in sophomore Brittney Neumann. Along with Andrea Zuniga, Neumann has lit the MVC up as Creighton powered to a league title. The Gophers opened up as one of the hottest teams in the country but have floundered down the stretch, winning only two of their last six. Strong in defense, the Gophers are led by tall, strong defender Kylie Kallman and goalkeeping star Cat Parkhill. Given Minnesota’s fading form down the stretch, if Creighton aren’t too awed by the step up in class, this could be a lot more competitive than you’d think at first glance.

UNC Greensboro vs South Carolina (7:30) – Greensboro’s “Anyone, Anywhere” policy in the non-conference season should serve them in good stead as they come up against a battle weary South Carolina team who just got through four games in three days, including two shootouts. Greensboro’s withering defense that has conceded more than one goal only twice figures to not give South Carolina ace forward Kayla Grimsley an inch to breathe, which could be problematic if Orange Beach is any indicator of how SC fares when their talisman is neutralized. It’s not all defense for the Spartans though. Tabitha Padgett hit double digits in goals for Greensboro, while even defender Cat Barnekow got in the act, contributing with an eye watering fourteen assists. Steel will meet steel in Charlottesville on Friday night, with the fans as the real winners.

(3) Oklahoma State vs Michigan (8:30) – 17-3-2′s not bad for a team without their best player for all but two of their matches this year. When German youth international Annika Niemeier went down with an ACL injury, a season of promise looked to be in danger of coming off the rails. Instead, the Cowgirls pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and have only looked like a contender to get to the College Cup. A bit of a skid in Texas on a weekend cost OSU the Big XII title, but the Cowgirls seem to have righted the ship going into the NCAA Tournament. The Pokes have strength up front with thirteen goal Krista Lopez and in back with defensive rock Melinda Mercado and one of the best keepers in the country with Adrianna Franch. Michigan counters with a superb trinity of their own in freshman forward Nkem Ezurike, senior defender Jackie Carron, and great goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer, who had a heroic performance against Penn State in ensuring that game got to extra time after being bombarded by Penn State. Greg Ryan’s kids have played far above their pedigree at this level and the ex-U.S. Women’s National Team coach has done well to rebuild has reputation after the 2007 Women’s World Cup debacle. If the youngsters don’t get enveloped by the moment on Friday, who’s to say a shock couldn’t be in the cards?

** – A Match, Nothing More, Nothing Less

(1) Stanford vs Sacramento State (10:00) – Stanford usual makes even squash matches entertaining, but with another tougher match likely to follow, the Cardinal may rotate in the reserves if they get a lead early. Sac State played one team in the uRPI Top 80, Long Beach State and drew them 0-0. They may not get run off the park, but it’s hard to seem them being competitive either.

Oklahoma vs Washington (7:30) – How much does Oklahoma have in the tank after going three matches in five days to win the Big XII Tournament? Let’s not forget that this Sooner squad also lost to Missouri State and drew with Colorado College in the season. They may have caught a break in a Washington side that backed over the line, losing five of seven to end the season. Neither side looks to give Portland problems in the second round, so let’s just hope for an eleven goal thriller we can all savor.

Penn State vs Penn (3:30) – If Penn State’s truly past its growing pains of the first half of the year, this’ll be over by halftime, as the Nittany Lions will just turn it into a track meet and blow the Quakers into the ground. If Erica Walsh’s team reverts back to its early season ways? That’s another story entirely. That group of Keystone Cops on grass are more than vulnerable to a team like Penn. Either way, it’s not a bad game to kick off Friday’s action.

(3) Marquette vs Central Michigan (8:30) – Teams in the uRPI Top 85 that Central Michigan beat this year: Zero. CMU had their chance against West Virginia earlier in the season but came up short. The Chippewas also flunked against Iowa earlier in the season, not a promising sign considering where the Hawkeyes ended up. Markus Roeders’ team is likely raring to go after a largely self-inflicted wound caused defeat against South Florida in the Big East semi-finals. The Golden Eagles were frustratingly inefficient early in the season but ironed that out nicely in league play. If Marquette comes in sharp, they win with ease.

Georgetown vs Siena (8:00) – It’s certainly been an interesting year for the Siena Saints. The MAAC Tournament winners were the last team standing with a 100% record, lasting twelve matches before going down. Then they lost three of four. In danger of possibly missing the conference tournament, Siena came through in the clutch and beat Canisius in the MAAC Final. The Saints made it rain goals in 2010, with three players hitting double figures. Georgetown’s heavy hitter is in midfield, with the “Little General” Ingrid Wells pulling the strings for the potent Hoya attack. Some still think that Georgetown’s Flat Track Bully rep is still in effect, seeing as how they only beat one uRPI Top 50 team this year. Defeat here is the last thing they want with that in mind.

(4) Texas A&M; vs North Dakota State (4:00) – A&M; smashes physically overmatched teams with regularity. North Dakota State played two teams in the uRPI Top 100 and went 0-1-1. The Bison are probably going to be nothing more than a speed bump, but seeing the Aggies flail about in the cold while the bench tries to stay warm in whatever cold weather gear can be scrounged together in College Station should be worth a laugh or two.

(3) Ohio State vs St. Francis (PA) (5:00) – The big notable in this encounter may be that the Buckeyes may not have the best striker on the pitch. The Red Flash boast Tesa McKibben, a sophomore who scored fifteen goals and tallied nine assists in her first full season of collegiate action. But then again, the NEC Tournament champs only played one uRPI Top 60 team all year, Georgetown. They lost, 5-0. Odds will be against McKibben and crew, but when have Lori Walker’s OSU teams been known for their consistency?

(2) Virginia vs Lehigh (5:00) – Against the five teams with triple digit uRPIs this year that went against the Cavs, Virginia scored twenty-six goals while conceding once. It’s probably not going to be a fun ninety minutes for the Patriot League Tournament champions.

Cal vs Duke (8:30) – Could we please get some verification as to whether Alex Morgan will be making a cameo on the pitch in Gainesville on Friday? You can knock this rating up a star or two if Morgan is released from National Team duty to participate in the NCAA Tournament. If not? Cal’s going to find it hard to emerge from this first round match against a Duke team that features a fine striker of their own in Mollie Pathman. Results without Morgan were hardly encouraging for the Bears. It’d be a real shame if Morgan’s college career comes to a close without her on the pitch.

Texas vs James Madison (7:30) – The last time James Madison met a fatcat school in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, it didn’t end so well for Georgia. Or Wake Forest in the second round. The Horns have had some bad, bad results in the course of the regular season to balance out some of the good. Since Leah Fortune left, the Horns have only scored more than one goal once, against toothless Iowa State. Teresa Rynier was on the JMU side that got to the Sweet Sixteen a few years ago and has been dragging the Dukes across the line with her offense. JMU didn’t exactly light the word on fire in non-conference play though, meaning they might not offer up as much as they did in 2008.

* – Complete Snoozer Potential

(4) UCF vs Fresno State (11:00) – I think it’s awesome that Fresno State got into the Big Dance after finishing sixth in the WAC. But still, it’s a sixth placed team from a weak conference against a likely jet-lagged team on a short week that likes to grind teams down in any event. Doesn’t make for a fun match in all likelihood.

(2) Florida State vs Middle Tennessee State (4:30) – Middle Tennessee State didn’t beat a team with an uRPI better than 140. Florida State doesn’t tend to lose these types of matches against minnows. FSU have been more pragmatic than explosive out of necessity without Tiffany McCarty and Jessica Price this year. The most interesting aspect of this game? The person not on the sideline. With Mark Krikorian serving out his suspension for Reserves-gate, the boss on the touchline figures to be associate head coach Eric Bell. That shouldn’t be a problem considering Bell is regarded as one of the best assistants in the country.

(3) West Virginia vs Morehead State (6:00) – Morehead State hasn’t beaten an opponent with a better uRPI than 167 this season and Warren Lipka’s teams have never been much fun to watch, dating back to his SEC run with Kentucky. West Virginia has won twelve straight and with an NCAA Tournament pedigree, figure to ease right by their OVC opposition.

(1) Portland vs UTSA (10:30) – Portland have been a little too functional for most neutrals this year, but UTSA don’t look to be pulling up too many trees having only beaten a single team in the uRPI Top 150 this year. The Roadrunners don’t have a big name scoring threat, which is likely a big problem against a Pilots team that doesn’t concede too many goals. It’ll probably be comfortable for the Pilots, but it likely won’t be thrilling.

(1) Maryland vs High Point (5:00) – High Point did well to get back to the Big Dance after finishing fifth in the Big South this season. But the Panthers didn’t win too many friends with their ‘everyone behind the ball’ tactics against North Carolina last year. You’d hope they’d come out of their shell against Maryland this year, but I’m not too optimistic.

(2) Florida vs Mercer (6:00) – Mercer has beaten the Gator reserves in the spring before, but the SEC double winners will be bringing their full arsenal with them to the NCAA Tournament. Whether that arsenal is firing on all cylinders is another matter entirely after three matches in four days. The Gators also may be rolling with inexperienced keeper Brooke Chancey in goal after injury to Katie Fraine necessitated a change in between the pipes. Still, it’s hard to envision Mercer’s offense scoring too many against Florida’s crushing defense.

(1) North Carolina vs Jackson State (5:00) – Ugh. The less said about this one the better. Jackson State will undoubtedly try their best, but realistically, the Heels can call their shot here. Let’s just hope it doesn’t hit double digits.

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• 2010 NCAA Soccer