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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Open NCAA Tournament at No. 21 Florida State
11/13/2002 | Soccer
Nov. 13, 2002
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OXFORD, Miss. - Making its NCAA Tournament debut, the Ole Miss soccer team opens the Big Dance against No. 21 Florida State this weekend in Tallahassee. The Rebels and Seminoles face off Friday at 7 p.m. ET at Seminole Soccer Complex.
Ole Miss (13-4-1) not only earned its first NCAA Tournament bid in the eight-year history of the program, but is also the first Division I team from the state of Mississippi to make the NCAAs.
The Rebels have already secured their best single-season winning percentage ever and are now only one victory shy of equaling their highest season win total. Prior to last week's 2-1 loss to Kentucky at the SEC Tournament, Ole Miss had matched its highest central region ranking at fifth and earned its best national ranking at 26th (first among teams receiving votes) in the NSCAA poll.
Out of the ACC, Florida State (11-6-3) is making its third straight NCAA Tourney appearance, having advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2000, and the Round of 32 a year ago. The veteran Seminoles field four seniors in the starting lineup, including leading scorer Cindy Schofield with her 13 goals and 30 points.
However, the Seminoles have won just one of their last five matches at Seminole Soccer Complex after posting a perfect 8-0-0 record at home in 2001. For the season, FSU is 6-5-2 in Tallahassee but two of those six wins have come against ranked opponents and one SEC school (Florida).
"We're prepared and ready for the challenge," said Ole Miss head coach Steve Holeman. "Florida State plays in one of the top soccer conferences in the county, and has faced an extremely difficult schedule. We can count on them to be well-coached and motivated to play at home."
The only previous meeting between the Rebels and Seminoles came in 1996, when the teams tied 2-2 in a tournament in Atlanta. FSU (11-6-3) is only the second ranked opponent this season for Ole Miss, who lost to No. 16 Tennessee, 2-1 in double overtime, on Oct. 28. UM has never defeated a top-25 foe.
The Rebels-'Noles victor advances to face the winner of Auburn and UCF in the second round, Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The Tigers face the Golden Knights in Friday's early game at 4:30 p.m. Weekend tickets are now available on-line at www.seminoles.com or by calling 1-888-FSU-NOLE.
The 64-team, single-elimination tournament culminates with the final four teams competing for the national championship at the NCAA College Cup, hosted this year by Texas and played at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Dec. 6-8.
