RADFORD TRAVELS TO VIRGINIA FOR FIRST ROUND OF NCAA TOURNAMENT

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Radford women's soccer team hits the road to take on top-seeded Virginia in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Klöckner Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Highlanders (16-5) have heated up at the right time winning five matches in a row. Their last loss came on Oct. 19 at Campbell. Radford avenged that loss in a big way by downing the Fighting Camels, 3-2, in the semifinals on their way to the programs seventh Big South Tournament title. Nelia Perez was huge in that game as she has been all season long.

The senior has recorded a career-high 13 goals this year, which ranks 28^th in the NCAA. Perez also ranks 29^th in goals per game (0.68) and 24^th in total points (32). Her strong offensive play could not have gotten done without a strong defense.

Radford has only allowed 17 goals this season and opponents are averaging 11.5 shots per game. Even if the teams get through the defense senior goalkeeper Courtenay Kaplan has been there to stop them. She ranks inside the NCAA's top 35 in save percentage with a 0.843.

Ranked No. 1 for the longest time in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, Virginia (16-1-3) fell to No. 3 after dropping a double-overtime thriller to North Carolina in the ACC Tournament. The regular season ACC Champions are making their 26th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and the 32nd overall. Altogether, Virginia has a 34-12-4 record in home NCAA Tournament games.

Virginia had a program record seven players named All-ACC selections highlighted by Meghan McCool, who was named a first-team selection. She is tied for the team lead with Diana Ordonez in goals scored as the pair have 14 each. The two of them also sit atop the ACC in goals scored. Alexa Spaanstra is the top ball distributor in the league with 12 assists this season.

The Cavaliers faced 10 teams ranked in the top 25 this season with an 8-1-1 record against those opponents. The recipe for success has been strong defense as the Cavaliers have only allowed eight goals all season long. On the other end Virginia is averaging 2.90 goals per game and tallied 58 for the year – ranking fourth in the NCAA.

Radford and Virginia will meet for the first time since 2012. The two schools have met 18 times, but this is the first time the Highlanders and Cavaliers will meet in the NCAA Tournament.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for NCAA Tournament matches at Klöckner Stadium can be purchased online at VirginiaSports.com or by calling the Virginia Ticket Office at 1-800-542-8821. Reserved seats are $8 in advance and $10 at the gate on game day. General admission tickets purchased in advance are $5 and $8 at the gate on game day. Students are required to purchase tickets. Children under two years of age are admitted free.

Reserved season ticket holders will be given an exclusive window to purchase their same reserved seats from the regular season before they are released to the public.

PARKING INFORMATION?
Parking for Saturday's match will be $5 in the JPJ-South lot beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fans should be aware that men's basketball and women's basketball will also have games that day, with the men's basketball team facing Columbia at noon and the women's basketball team facing Kentucky at 5 p.m. Due to these coinciding events, fans should plan accordingly. Free parking is also available in the Emmet/Ivy Garage.

FOLLOW WOMEN'S SOCCER ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the Radford women's soccer team follow @RadfordWSOC on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Women's Soccer on Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Courtenay Kaplan: GK; 5' 6"; Senior; Loudoun 98 Red

#11 Nelia Perez: F; 5' 2"; Senior; Newport News FC, Chesapeake FC, Churchland SL

Players Mentioned

#1 Courtenay Kaplan
: 5' 6"; Senior; Loudoun 98 Red
: GK

#11 Nelia Perez
: 5' 2"; Senior; Newport News FC, Chesapeake FC, Churchland SL
: F

Players Mentioned

#1 Courtenay Kaplan

#11 Nelia Perez

Players Mentioned

#1 Courtenay Kaplan

#11 Nelia Perez