Aquinas and Madonna on the road for Women's Soccer Opening Round

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - (NAIA Release) - Aquinas and Madonna were announced as two of the 40 qualifying teams for the 2022 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Opening Round presented by Select Sport America, at 10 campus locations on November 17-19. The 2022 NAIA National Championship Second Round winners will meet up in Orange Beach, Ala., at the NAIA National Championship final site event. The 39th annual championship takes place at the Orange Beach Sportsplex November 29 – December 5, 2022.

This year's championship field includes 27 automatic qualifiers and 13 at-large selections. Automatic berths were given to teams that either won their respective conference tournament title, regular-season championship, or finished runner-up at the conference tournament or regular season as determined by each conference qualification plan. The at-large bids were determined by the NAIA Women's Soccer National Selection Committee. This committee consists of one representative from each geographical area, a representative from the National Administrative Council, the president of the NAIA-Women's Soccer Coaches Association, and three at-large members. The committee evaluated teams throughout the year on various criteria.

In its fifth appearance, Aquinas (18-2-1) lands in the Columbia Bracket hosted by the one seed Central Methodist (Mo.) after winning both the WHAC regular season and tournament. The Saints sit as the two seed with (3) Jamestown (N.D.) and (4) Cardinal Stritch (Wis.). Aquinas and Jamestown (14-5-2) face off in the afternoon on Nov. 17.

Madonna (15-5-1) is making its fourth appearance and is the fourth seed in the Spring Arbor Bracket with (1) Spring Arbor, (2) Cumberland (Tenn.), and (3) Briar Cliff (Iowa). MU and SAU (14-1-3) square off on Nov. 17.

The NAIA Network – the association's official video streaming home – will broadcast eight matches live at the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship final site in Orange Beach, Ala., and the championship match will be on ESPN3. The NAIA Network, powered by Stretch Internet, allows users access to live video, statistics, and social interaction on a number of devices, including mobile. Single day passes can be purchased for $9.95, while an all-championship tournament package is available at $34.95. For more information and to pre-register, click HERE.