Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Headed West For NCAA Tourney
November 09, 2009 | Cowgirl Soccer
Nov. 9, 2009
2009 NCAA Women's Soccer Championship Bracket in PDF Format 
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State earned its fourth-straight bid to the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship and will take on Southern California in first-round action Friday at 7:30 p.m. (CST) at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
The Cowgirls, who are making their fifth overall NCAA appearance, are in a bracket with host Santa Clara (13-6-1), USC (12-6-2) and Michigan State (11-4-4). If OSU wins its opening round match Friday, the Cowgirls would advance to face the Santa Clara-Michigan State winner Sunday at 6 p.m. (CST).
"It's great, and for our senior class to (make four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances) is just amazing," said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. "Going out to California, you're guaranteed for the most part decent fields, decent facilities, decent weather, and that suits our team.
"We're happy to be in it. We know it's going to be a good challenge, but I think we're up for it."
USC is a challenge the Cowgirls have already faced once this season. The Trojans came to Stillwater and defeated OSU, 1-0, on Sept. 18.
"There's a comfort level having seen them," Carmichael said. "They're very good, but we're comfortable with the fact that we can compete with them. I think it will be another tight game. We've certainly improved a lot. If they've improved as much as us, it will be a heck of a match."
OSU is 15-7-0 on the season and earned an NCAA tourney berth by winning the Big 12 Soccer Championship last week. The Cowgirls have won eight-straight matches and have outscored their opponents 17-3 during the winning streak.
The Cowgirls have advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championship each of the last three seasons, and OSU is 3-2-2 all-time in the NCAA tourney.
"It's always our goal, and it's amazing that we've been able to go to the NCAA Tournament four years in a row," said senior midfielder Siera Strawser. "To come back after being 1-5 in the Big 12 and then winning the (conference) tournament to make sure we got in is incredible. I think we have the talent and the capability to make the Sweet 16, and that's what we're working for."
The Cowgirls led the Big 12 with three first-team all-conference selections this season as junior midfielder Annika Niemeier, sophomore defender Melinda Mercado and freshman goalkeeper AD Franch each earned All-Big 12 First Team honors. Senior forward Kasey Langdon made the second team, while Franch and fellow freshman Carson Michalowski were named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team.
OSU's defensive play has been key to its success this season. The Cowgirls lead the Big 12 with 13 shutouts, which is also a school record, while their 0.68 goals against average and 15 goals allowed are also tops in the league.
Franch broke OSU's single-season record for shutouts, and the Salina, Kan. native enters NCAA play with a Big 12-best 10 shutouts on the season. She also leads the league in goals against average (0.63) and save percentage.
Nine Cowgirls have at least two goals apiece this season, led by Niemeier's 11, seven of which have been game winners. Niemeier has recorded seven goals and three assists during OSU's current winning streak.
