Teams earn automatic qualifier for NCAA Tournament

Nov. 8—Northwestern's volleyball and women's soccer teams both won their respective UMAC Tournament championship games on Saturday, earning an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The volleyball and women's soccer teams are the first Northwestern squads to earn an invitation to the NCAA tournament since NWC became a full member of the NCAA Division III prior to the 2008–09 academic year. 2010–11 represents the first year that UMAC Tournament champions are given the automatic qualifier (there was a two-year waiting period).

Volleyball

The volleyball team became the second Eagle squad to earn an automatic berth into its respective NCAA Tournament on Saturday, defeating the College of St. Scholastica 3-0.

Full tournament coverage available online.

The volleyball team will play St. Olaf in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday, November 12 at the University of St. Thomas. Tournament details (including play times) will be posted on www.nwceagles.com when it comes available.

Women's Soccer

Kyrie Jorgenson's (Decorah, Iowa/Decorah) unassisted goal in Saturday's UMAC Tournament Championship put the Eagles over the College of St. Scholastica 1-0, earning Northwestern the conference's first automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament, which begins next week.

The women's soccer team is the first-ever Northwestern program to be invited to the NCAA postseason after the institution became a full member of Division III prior to the 2008–09 academic year.

Full tournament coverage available online.

The soccer team will play Concordia in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday, November 12 at Macalester College. Tournament details (including play times) will be posted on www.nwceagles.com when it comes available.