Penn State vs Iowa [Big Ten Tournament Semi-Final] – 12:00 PM

How Did They Get Here?

The Nittany Lions all but extinguished Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament hopes in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament with a 2-0 win.  The defense did just enough to slow Wisconsin’s potent attack, while Taylor Schram and Mallory Weber did the damage in the first half en route to the victory.

Iowa pulled off one of the shocks of the week, beating Michigan despite the Wolverines coming in in sensational form.  The Hawkeyes got a Bri Toelle goal after the hour mark and held on to all but seal their NCAA Tournament spot.  Iowa also used just eleven players though, so their energy levels could be a concern.

The Regular Season Meeting Was…

Another Iowa shock and the first time the Hawkeyes had ever beaten Penn State.  Iowa jumped out to a lead twice but were pegged back, sending the teams into the second half tied at 2-2.  Cloe Lacasse would strike the final blow though, with the match finishing 3-2 in Iowa’s favor, a stunning result all things considered.

What’s On The Line?

For Iowa?  Not much.  Yes, they’d probably slide back onto the bubble with a defeat, but wins over Michigan and Penn State mean they’re all but a mortal lock to go dancing next week.  They’d probably like to have a chance at lifting the Big Ten Tournament trophy, but given the fact that the club seems to be down to bare bones depth-wise, a defeat may not be the end of the world, perhaps increasing the chance of an NCAA Tournament win next week.

Penn State probably sees a golden opportunity to add to its trophy cabinet with Michigan having been taken out in the opening round.  The Nittany Lions also are battling for a top two seed in the NCAA Tournament.  Their resume doesn’t really compare that well with other rivals right now, meaning they probably need to win out this weekend to stand a chance at keeping the first three rounds of the Big Dance at home.

Nebraska vs Indiana [Big Ten Tournament Semi-Final] – 2:30 PM

How Did They Get Here?

Some of the doubters probably raised an eyebrow when league champs Nebraska went down 1-0 after just thirty-nine seconds.  The doubts didn’t last long, as the Huskers promptly steamrolled Minnesota after, making it 2-1 before the fifteen minute mark and then adding a couple more in the second half for good measure.  Mayme Conroy netted a brace, putting her on ten goals for the season.

Indiana played out a wild game with Illinois, going up 3-0 into the half, with Kayleigh Steigerwalt assisting on a pair.  Illinois would pull one back, but Indiana then scored two more to make it safe, though they did concede another two to see the match finish up 5-3.  The win all but assured Indiana of a spot in the NCAA Tournament given other results on the day.

The Regular Season Meeting Was…

Also the regular season finale for each.  The game was almost a dead heat statistically in shots and shots on goal, but the Huskers made better use of their chances in running out to a 3-1 win that sealed the Big Ten title for John Walker’s side. Indiana will not remember the last ten minutes fondly, with Nebraska goalkeeper Emma Stevens scoring after a long boot aided by the wind.

What’s On The Line?

Nebraska’s right on the borderline for consideration for a #1 seed and will be aiming to do the double to give itself as much of a chance as possible to end up on the top line.  In the end, the Huskers might be a bit short given their likely rivals for the honor.  At any rate, Nebraska would still love to add another trophy to the mantle after such a long drought.

Indiana’s in the same limbo as Iowa is but are actually a bit better off in the computer rankings right now.  The Hoosiers don’t have the profile to earn a national seed, even if they win this competition but will still want to build as much momentum as possible.  With Amy Berbary’s attack minded side free of the shackles of pressure of winning in the opening round and avoiding bubble trouble, they could go all out attack to try and pull off the shock.

Utah vs Colorado – 4:00 PM

How Did They Get Here?

Utah are again defying most expectations, threatening to finish second in the final league table with a win coupled with a Washington State loss in their finale against Washington.  The Utes probably could have been in a better position to take that second place in the table after going 2-0-1 in three, including a draw with UCLA but fell in extra time to Arizona State the last time out.  The club took a late lead but were undone in the eighty-seventh minute by an equalizer before ASU won it in extra time.

Colorado is on a bit more shakier ground as far as league form is concerned.  The club has won just two of its last seven, including just one of its last five going into this one.  CU didn’t exactly leave a picturesque last impression going into the regular season finale either.  After a 2-2 draw with Arizona State, the club was spanked by Arizona last Sunday, putting up plenty of scoring chicness but being put to the sword by three Wildcat goals in the last thirty minutes and a lot of saves from UA goalkeeper Gabby Kaufman.

What’s On The Line?

Could Colorado slip onto the bubble?  The Buffs have gone from dreaming about a national seed to having slipped close to the bubble zone with their recent spate of poor form.  The evidence isn’t exactly in their favor if they were to slip into that zone of scrutiny either.  The team’s best win is over Colorado College, so it’s definitely in CU’s best interest to win and remove any doubt heading into Selection Monday.  At the very least, Danny Sanchez’s side is in need of some renewed confidence before the Big Dance.

Utah probably has a little wiggle room.  Emphasis on the little.  The Utes would probably lose some ground if they fall to the Buffs on Friday, and if the bubble contracts with some upsets, that could spell a whole lot of trouble for Utah.  If Rich Manning’s side does end up on the bubble, they have a pretty solid resume, but that’s not going to help them if they fall too far in the rankings.  A win could get the club up to second in the league table, which would be a massive accomplishment for a club that was out of the RPI Top 100 just a few years ago.

Florida vs Ole Miss [SEC Tournament Semi-Final] – 5:00 PM

How Did They Get Here?

Florida didn’t have it as easy as they did towards the end of the regular season in their opening game of the SEC Tournament.  For the first time since October 11, the Gators only won by a single goal, taking down Arkansas to advance.  The Gators got a goal in the first half from freshman phenom Savannah Jordan and were able to keep a hard working Arkansas side at bay the rest of the way.

Ole Miss kept their foot to the floor against Kentucky and avoided some early bullets from the Wildcats to go into the break with a 1-0 lead.  Rafa Souza all but settled the tie in the opening minutes of the second half from the penalty spot.  The Rebels would keep the pressure up throughout to walk away with a 2-0 win that ended any chance of the club falling back into bubble trouble.

The Regular Season Meeting Was…

Throughly lopsided on the scoreboard, with the Gators walking away with a 4-1 win in Oxford.  Ole Miss couldn’t cash in on their early chances and paid the price, with Florida making the best of their chances, scoring three goals in a little over fifteen minutes.  The rest of the match was academic, with Ole Miss clawing one back near the half-hour mark but unable to get anything else back, with Florida scoring again at the death.

What’s On The Line?

The Gators have a top two seed in their sights.  They’ll probably clinch it with two more wins in Orange Beach, though their resume doesn’t compare favorably to a handful of their rivals for the honor, meaning they really need those two wins if they want to avoid a potential trip to Tallahassee on the second weekend of the tournament.  Having to share the league title probably sticks in their craw a bit too, so they’ll want to complete the double.

Ole Miss is basically safely in the field but probably don’t have enough to warrant a national seed unless they beat Florida on Friday and get a win over South Carolina on Sunday if the Gamecocks beat Texas A&M.  With the pressure all but off going into the semi-final, it’s probably going to be another pedal to the metal mentality, which could equal another wide open thriller in Orange Beach on Friday evening.

Virginia vs Virginia Tech [ACC Tournament Semi-Final] – 5:30 PM

How Did They Get Here?

Virginia did what Virginia’s been doing, steamrolling Maryland by a 6-1 count in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament.  UVA actually went down early when Hayley Brock chipped Morgan Stearns in goal…and it went all downhill form there for the Terps.  Virginia scored four before the halftime whistle and then tacked on two more in the final ten minutes to run out decisive winners.  Morgan Brian had two goals and an assist as she continued to make a claim for the Hermann Trophy.

Virginia Tech didn’t have it anywhere near as easy against Notre Dame in another tight encounter after the two played out a compelling regular season match.  The Hokies would go behind early but came back to equalize and force extra time.  An awful bit of officiating saw Notre Dame reduced to ten in the second half, swinging momentum the Hokies’ way.  Jazmine Reeves finished it late in extra time, just as penalties seemed to loom.

The Regular Season Meeting Was…

A little over a week ago and, rather unsurprisingly, in Virginia’s favor.  The Hokies battled tooth and nail but still didn’t manage a single shot on goal against their rivals.  Still, the match was 1-0 for much of the affair, with Amber Fry scoring early in the first half before Makenzy Doniak netted in the final minute.  The win completed a perfect regular season for the Cavaliers.

What’s On The Line?

For Virginia?  Perfection.  That and the chance to win another trophy.  Really, that’s about it.  They’ll be a #1 seed, and their place in history is confirmed after winning their first twenty games this season.  Of course, they still want to keep winning to keep alive their hopes of a treble and a perfect season, with the club hopefully returning to Cary in a month.

For Virginia Tech, besides an opportunity to spoil much of the above for their rivals, it’s a chance to keep alive their dream of some ACC silverware.  This tournament is almost always going to be the Hokies’ best hopes of a major trophy, and this might be their best team in program history.  The Hokies pretty much are guaranteed a seed, but a win would go a long way towards a top two seed and home advantage for three rounds.

Georgetown vs DePaul [Big East Tournament Semi-Final] – 6:00 PM

How Did They Get Here?

Georgetown finished as runners up in the Big East after an impressive and unbeaten non-conference season and a very good league season that featured the club picking up maximum points in all but two matches.  One of those matches?  A 1-1 draw with Friday’s opponents.  The Hoyas felt no malaise going into the regular season finale and polished off Seton Hall in a 2-0 win, scoring both of their goals in the first ten minutes.

DePaul had no bye into the semi-finals, having to earn their way there with a quarterfinal win over Villanova.  It was a battling display from the Blue Demons, who overcame a physical affair netting five combined bookings to make a 1-0 lead gained in the tenth minute stand up.  The Chicago side was outshot by a 2:1 ratio but made their chance count to earn another shot at a big result against Georgetown.

The Regular Season Meeting Was…

A goalkeeping masterclass from DePaul sophomore Alejandria Godinez.  The netminder made fourteen saves and stopped a penalty kick from Georgetown star Daphne Corboz.  DePaul ended up taking up an early lead through Ashleigh Goddard and weathered a colossal storm, only conceding one goal from Mary Kroening near the hour mark.  They’ll probably need another Herculean effort to advance on Friday.

What’s On The Line?

For DePaul, they’re very much flirting with danger.  They are right on the cut line, and that’s taking into account the Blue Demons benefitting from nobody’s bubble bursting in the final few days before Selection Monday.  A win, and DePaul’s worries will melt away.  Anything else?  It’s dicey.  It’s REALLY dicey.  The Blue Demons have a decent chance of surviving bubble scrutiny, but a loss might keep them off the bubble.

Georgetown looks like being in a great position for a national seed.  Just not a top two seed given their profile that doesn’t really compare to their rivals for a top two seed.  They might still be able to sneak into one if they get to the final and beat Marquette, but it’s going to be pretty close.  A loss, and the Hoyas will probably have to settle for a #3 or #4 seed.  They also probably want another shot at Marquette after their humiliating defeat in Milwaukee earlier.

West Virginia vs Baylor [Big XII Tournament Semi-Final] – 6:30 PM

How Did They Get Here?

No postseason blues for West Virginia this season.  After having come into this tournament having lost three straight postseason games, WVU cut through Kansas like a knife through butter on Wednesday.  They dominated the Jayhawks, scoring three goals in fifty-six minutes, two of them from Frances Silva.  They held Kansas to zero shots on goal and generally looked like a side that had cruised to a league title.

Baylor’s had their backs to the wall since a six game winless streak had sucked them out of bubble range.  They’ve responded with three straight 1-0 wins, including in the opening round of the Big XII Tournament against Iowa State.  A second half goal from rookie Ashley York saw the Bears through to the semi-finals and back in the bubble picture.  They probably know the job is far from complete though.

The Regular Season Meeting Was…

The beginning of a hellish month for the Bears that almost ended their hopes of an NCAA Tournament berth.  The Bears’ unbeaten run that had stretched for a relative age was snapped in decisive fashion, as the predatory WVU attack made Baylor pay for defensive slackness.  Baylor clawed two back after going down 3-0 after an hour, but West Virginia added a fourth before the Bears added a late consolation in the dying seconds.  WVU’s Kate Schwindel had a goal and an assist as the Mountaineers attack fired on all cylinders.

What’s On The Line?

West Virginia wants a national seed, something that may be out of their grasp if they can’t overcome Baylor for a second time on Friday.  The Mountaineers are probably in the range of consideration, but the Big XII’s relative weakness has hurt their odds of grabbing such a seed.  Another win to beat back claims of their softness in the postseason certainly wouldn’t feel so bad either.

It’s about survival for Baylor, who currently sits just above the outer edge of the bubble.  A win would probably keep them on the bubble regardless of what happens in the final.  But would a draw against Texas A&M, a draw against Texas Tech, and a win against West Virginia be enough if they don’t win the auto bid?  It’s questionable, but it’s a lot less questionable than Baylor getting in if they lose on Friday night.

Texas A&M vs South Carolina [SEC Tournament Semi-Final] – 7:30 PM

How Did They Get Here?

A&M battered the Auburn goal for much of the match, especially in the first half but were left to rely on Allie Bailey’s goal just after the first quarter of an hour to provide the difference between the two sides.  The shots evened out after the first half, a surprise considering Auburn had played a few days earlier and A&M had not.  Still, the Aggies conceded just one shot on game the whole way, a relief after having conceded two goals in the previous two matches.

South Carolina enters on a high after having won their fourth straight on Wednesday.  The Gamecocks avenged one of their two SEC losses on the season, triumphing over Georgia in a 4-0 demolition.  A well balanced effort saw Carolina outshoot their opponents by a 2:1 ratio and get goals from four different scorers in the biggest offensive outburst since a 4-1 win against Vanderbilt.  The club also kept just its second clean sheet in the past seven matches.

The Regular Season Meeting Was…

These two teams did not meet in the regular season.

What’s On The Line?

South Carolina’s in the zone where they’re all but guaranteed of a seed if they end the conference tournament season there, but a loss here might see them slide out of that zone.  Would they get a seed if not in that zone?  Maybe, maybe not.  They won’t want to chance it though.  Additionally, SC may not have played the Aggies this season but probably still remember two defeats to them last year.  They’ll probably want to settle the score and move closer to silverware as well.

A&M has moved away from the bubble and towards contention for a national seed, but the resume still looks a bit thin.  They probably need to beat both South Carolina and Florida to stand a chance of netting a seed come Monday.  Additionally, you have to get the impression that the Aggies are probably thirsting for another shot at Florida in the final if they get past Ole Miss.

Florida State vs North Carolina [ACC Tournament Semi-Final] – 8:00 PM

How Did They Get Here?

Florida State got a 2-0 win in the quarterfinals in a cagey affair with Duke last Sunday.  The Noles went into the break deadlocked but got a rapid-fire double from Isabella Schmid from the spot before Kristin Grubka scored less than two minutes later to dig the Blue Devils into a hole they wouldn’t escape from.  The defense basically smothered Duke for most of the game, keeping the Blue Devils to just two shots on goal on the afternoon.

North Carolina won an ACC Tournament game for the first time since 2010 when they overcame Boston College in a 1-0 victory.  BC keeper Alex Johnson kept the Tar Heel offense at bay for much of the afternoon, but the netminder couldn’t keep them all out, with Crystal Dunn pouncing on a Megan Brigman shot that had previously hit the bar.  The defense kept a dangerous Boston College attack off the scoresheet en route to the clean sheet win.

The Regular Season Meeting Was…

Not necessarily a classic.  Carolina had nine shots on goal, including four from Kealia Ohai but seemed unusually disjointed in Tallahassee.  They paid the price for their profligacy when goalkeeper Bryane Heaberlin misjudged Jamia Fields lofting cross-shot, resulting in the only goal of the match.  It was one of just three shots on goal Florida State would have all night, but it mattered little, with the Noles rolling out as 1-0 winners.

What’s On The Line?

For North Carolina, it’s probably more about getting another ACC Tournament title after they’ve been surprisingly poor in this competition the past few years.  Beating Boston College last Sunday was a positive step, but UNC really isn’t into doing things halfway, so they want the trophy come Sunday.  I’m going to go out on a limb and say they may want a rematch with Virginia with Crystal Dunn in the lineup.  They also probably want to repay FSU for September’s loss.

While North Carolina is all but assured of a #1 seed, Florida State is a wee bit less secure of that title, especially if Nebraska and/or Marquette can put together tournament title wins this weekend.  Beating Carolina and Virginia this weekend would certainly end that debate.  There’s also the matter of getting another piece of silverware in the trophy cabinet, having won this competition back in 2011 before last year’s disappointing semi-final exit.

Marquette vs Saint John’s (NY) [Big East Tournament Semi-Final] – 8:30 PM

How Did They Get Here?

Marquette steamrolled the Big East, putting together a perfect league record and hasn’t lost since their shock defeat at the hands of Illinois State back in the middle of September.  In their regular season finale, they overcame a stubborn Butler side with everything to play for, scoring the first two goals but having to hold on late after the Bulldogs cut it to a 2-1 lead with under five minutes to play.  The Golden Eagles still held their opponents to two shots on goal despite conceding for the first time in six games.

In a bubble elimination game, Saint John’s (NY) overcame an early first half deficit to Butler to storm back with three goals, including a brace from Golden Boot contender Rachel Daly.  They’d see their lead cut to 3-2, but in the end, the Johnnies would walk away with a win that kept their season alive.  Still, despite the offensive fireworks, the sheer amount of offense they gave up to Butler has to be a worry going into Milwaukee.

The Regular Season Meeting Was…

Mostly one-way traffic.  The Golden Eagles were unfortunate to find themselves down a goal early in the first half after a set piece goal but more than made up for it with three unanswered goals, with Mary Luba putting in a fantastic display off the bench.  The Johnnies scored from their only shot on goal, and they needed Diana Poulin to make seven more saves to keep it respectable in the end.

What’s On The Line?

Marquette’s got a shot at a #1 seed, but they almost assuredly have to win their next two, with the final win coming over league rivals Georgetown.  I’m still not sure they’ll be able to overcome some of the resumes of the ACC titans they’re going to be compared with though.  They still would be in with a great shot at a #2 seed if they can’t get to a #1, and they’ll still want to win the conference tournament to establish themselves as the new Big East’s top dogs.

Saint John’s may be out of the fire, but they’re still in the proverbial frying pan given their rather middling profile.  Their best result is a win over DePaul, which isn’t going to get it done if they’re on the bubble.  Of course, if they beat Marquette, all of that goes out the window, and the Red Storm will be celebrating an NCAA Tournament spot.  Lose, and the season’s over.  No pressure, huh?

Texas Tech vs Oklahoma State [Big XII Tournament Semi-Final] – 9:00 PM

How Did They Get Here?

The Red Raiders won their fourth straight match by beating TCU in the quarterfinals, extending their unbeaten run to sixteen matches and their clean sheet streak to five games.  TTU basically hit the Frogs’ goal with a battering ram for the better part of ninety minutes but still managed just Paige Strahan’s goal in the end.  It wasn’t a problem though, with the Red Raiders holding their opposition to just a pair of shots on goal.

In desperate need of a win to keep their season alive, Oklahoma State did just that on Wednesday, likely ending Texas’ NCAA Tournament hopes in the process.  Backs to the wall after a 1-0 loss to Iowa State, the Cowgirls got a great showing from Krissi Killion and two assists from Madison Mercado to help lead them to a 2-1 win.  The historically stingy Cowgirl defense didn’t exactly smother the Longhorns, but goalkeeper Michela Ongaro did her part with eight saves to ensure OSU’s season at least lasted another few days.

The Regular Season Meeting Was…

A tepid, scoreless draw that saw the clubs combine for six shots on goal in one hundred ten minutes.  Janine Beckie, Paige Strahan, Courtney Dike, and Krissi Killion combined for zero shots on goal between them.  For the love of God, let’s not put on a repeat of that, OK?

What’s On The Line?

Oklahoma State displayed something many of their rivals haven’t this week: competence.  The Cowgirls are one of the few teams still alive and kicking with a chance to take their bubble fate into their own hands right now.  A loss probably wouldn’t close the book on them completely, but it’d make things really shaky going into Monday.  A win, and OSU can probably make plans for an NCAA Tournament game next week.

Texas Tech probably isn’t going to be able to chase down a seed when all is said and done, but they’d still like to chase down one thing that’s eluded them thus far under Tom Stone’s reign:  a major trophy.  The Big XII Tournament title seems ripe for the taking with TTU having already beaten league champs West Virginia.  Another win would also keep the momentum flowing as we get closer to the Big Dance, where the Red Raiders can make a big impact.

Other Matches With Bubble Implications:

Boston University vs Colgate (Patriot League Tournament Semi-Final) – 7:30 PM – The Terriers are going to be bubble sides’ best friend if they win the auto bid and expand the bubble down a spot.  If they fall though, they’ve also got a decent case for an at-large bid, meaning this could be a key pivot game come Selection Monday.

Colorado College vs East Carolina (Conference USA Tournament Semi-Final) – 5:30 PM – Yeah, the Tigers already gave bubble squads a severe case of heartburn on Wednesday when they were dragged to penalties by Tulsa.  CC should be safe with an at-large spot if they don’t get the auto bid, meaning bubble hopefuls will be hoping they hold serve here.

IPFW vs Denver (Summit League Tournament Semi-Final) – 5:00 PM – Of course, Denver’s not worrying about an NCAA Tournament spot but instead pushing for a national seed which may be beyond them if they can’t win the auto bid given their weak conference. A shocking upset also cuts off another bubble spot for a contender.

James Madison vs Hofstra (CAA Tournament Semi-Final) – 6:00 PM – James Madison probably ain’t making it in if they don’t get the auto bid.  At the same time though, JMU’s probably going to be a bubble team if they don’t win the CAA Tournament, meaning other bubble hopefuls will be eagerly rooting against them this weekend.

Penn vs Princeton – 6:00 PM – Perversely, all the bubble teams are rooting for Penn to be able to defeat Princeton to stay on the bubble.  The Quakers aren’t going to be getting an at-large bid, but other bubble sides know they probably compare positively towards Penn, meaning there’s a great incentive for the Ivy League side to stay on the bubble and be an easily dispensed with team.

Rutgers vs Memphis (AAC Tournament Semi-Final) – 7:30 PM – High stakes.  Rutgers could well slip back onto the bubble with a defeat, especially with some upsets elsewhere.  One of those potential bubble busters?  Memphis, who probably can’t make up enough space to get on the bubble but are a very real threat to win this tournament.

UCF vs South Florida (AAC Tournament Semi-Final) – 5:00 PM – Also high stakes.  Just not as high as the above.  UCF is fighting to gain a #2 seed and the right to host the first three rounds of the NCAA Tournament in Orlando.  South Florida has a slight glimmer of hope in getting to the bubble with an upset.

William & Mary vs Northeastern (CAA Tournament Semi-Final) – 3:00 PM – The Tribe aren’t totally dead if they lose here and don’t win the auto bid, but their odds aren’t great.  If they do manage to survive scrutiny while not winning the auto bid, that’s another bubble spot gone.  A loss here would push another bigger club off the bubble as well in all likelihood.