Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville took on regular season champs and number two seed Notre Dame (13-3-4) in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship.
And in a stunning upset, SIUE advanced on penalty kicks, 5-4.
SIUE entered the NCAA tournament for the second time following a 2014 appearance, while the Irish returned for the 24th consecutive year.
“It all comes down to where they seed us, and they try to keep it regional,” SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton said. “It’s super exciting to go and play a perennial team, a past national champion.”
The game between the Ohio Valley Conference Champion Cougars (10-7-4) and the Irish was held at Notre Dame’s Alumni Stadium Nov. 11.
SIUE became only the second Ohio Valley Conference team ever to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, siuecougars.com reported.
Burton praised his team's effort. "They worked really hard tonight," he said. "I couldn't be more proud of the effort, and the overall mental ability of our team is at a really high level. I am proud of them. It’s a great honor, and it's definitely a challenge that we’re going to look forward to, and we’re going to enjoy."
Mike Shannon’s Grill in Edwardsville was filled with SIUE’s athletic department, including coaches and players, to watch the NCAA Selection Show.
“It never gets old,” Burton said. “It’s exciting. The support is tremendous from our administration. Some of the other staffs from other sports are here and some other student-athletes. It’s really enjoyable for our team.”
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