1997 NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament

The 1997 NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament (also known as the 1997 NCAA Women's College Cup) was the 16th annual single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA Division I women's collegiate soccer. The semifinals and championship game were played at the UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro, North Carolina during December 1997.

North Carolina defeated Connecticut in the final, 2–0, to win their fourteenth national title. Coached by Anson Dorrance, the Tar Heels finished the season 27–0–1.

The most outstanding offensive player was Robin Confer from North Carolina, and the most outstanding defensive player was Siri Mullinix, also from North Carolina. Confer and Mullinix, along with twelve other players, were named to the All-tournament team.

The tournament's leading scorer, with 5 goals, was Sara Whalen from Connecticut.

Qualification

All Division I women's soccer programs were eligible to qualify for the tournament. The tournament field remained at 32 teams although it would expand again, to 48, in 1998.

Play-in games

Teams North Carolina RegionalSeedSchoolConference Berth TypeRecordFloridaSECAutomatic19-2-1George MasonCAAAt-large13-5-4HarvardIvy LeagueAutomatic10-2-2MarylandACCAt-large12-8-3MassachusettsAtlantic 10Automatic17-4North CarolinaACCAutomatic22-0-1VanderbiltSECAt-large14-7Wake ForestACCAt-large11-7-2 Santa Clara RegionalSeedSchoolConference Berth TypeRecordBYUWACAt-large19-3ClemsonACCAt-large13-6DukeACCAt-large14-5-1GeorgiaSECAt-large15-5-1MilwaukeeMidwestern CollegiateAutomatic13-2-4MinnesotaBig TenAt-large17-2-2Santa ClaraWest CoastAt-large17-2-1UNC GreensboroSouthernAutomatic18-5 Connecticut RegionalSeedSchoolConference Berth TypeRecord ColgatePatriotAutomatic13-3-3ConnecticutBig EastAt-large19-3FairfieldMAACAutomatic18-3HartfordAmerica EastAutomatic18-1-1James MadisonCAAAt-large13-6-2Penn StateBig TenAt-large15-6-1VirginiaACCAt-large13-4-2William & MaryCAAAutomatic18-4 Notre Dame RegionalSeedSchoolConference Berth TypeRecordCincinnatiConference USAAutomatic16-4-3MichiganBig TenAutomatic18-3-1NebraskaBig 12At-large17-3Notre DameBig EastAutomatic20-0-1PortlandWest CoastAutomatic14-4SMUWACAutomatic16-4-1Texas A&MBig 12Automatic18-2UCLAPac-10Automatic17-2

Bracket

All-tournament team Mandy Clemens, Santa Clara Robin Confer, North Carolina (most outstanding offensive player) Carey Dorn, Connecticut Lorrie Fair, North Carolina Jacqui Little, Santa Clara Holly Manthei, Notre Dame Siri Mullinix, North Carolina (most outstanding defensive player) Cindy Parlow, North Carolina Tiffany Roberts, North Carolina Heather Stone, Connecticut Jenny Streiffer, Notre Dame Jen Tietjen, Notre Dame Sara Whalen, Connecticut Staci Wilson, North Carolina

See also 1997 NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament 1997 NCAA Division II women's soccer tournament 1997 NCAA Division III women's soccer tournament 1997 NAIA women's soccer tournament

References