Nov. 12, 2001

OXFORD, Ohio-As announced by the NCAA Monday, Miami University's women's soccer team opens the 2001 NCAA Tournament this Friday versus Big East power West Virginia in Morgantown, W.Va.

Miami, which stands at 14-6-1, makes its second consecutive NCAA appearance versus a West Virginia team that has compiled a 15-4-1 record, including an impressive Big East Tournament run that included a 1-0 upset of No. 9 Connecticut in the semifinals and a one-goal loss to No. 6 Notre Dame in the championship. All four of the Mountaineer's losses this season have come against teams currently ranked in the Top 15 nationally.

"We're very pleased with the draw," Head Coach Bobby Kramig said. "We've been up there before to scrimmage against West Virginia, so we're familiar with the team and the facility. They're a terrific team, so we've definitely got our work cut out for us. I'm expecting a good match."

Joining the RedHawks and Mountaineers at Morgantown for the first and second rounds are Dayton, the Atlantic 10 Champion, and Maryland, an Atlantic Coast Conference power. Also included in Miami's half of the bracket are third-seeded UCLA , Cal State Fullerton, Pepperdine and USC.

The RedHawks, who earned the berth by winning the Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship, are making their second NCAA appearance and third appearance for a MAC program. Miami fell to the University of Michigan 4-3 in double-overtime last season in its first NCAA appearance.