Women's NCAA Tourney Second Round Preview

by Tom Hindle

November 16, 2022

Tallahassee, Florida — 11/18

Four tough teams gather in Florida, although there is one clear favorite. Hosts Florida State might just have too much for everyone else in the field. While Jenn Nighswonger pulls the strings offensively, any number of players around her can score. Jody Brown is the most obvious threat, with seven goals and seven assists to her name. The Seminoles are good at the back, too, with ACC Goalkeeper of the year Cristina Roque holding everything together.

Georgetown could cause some problems. The Hoyas are rock solid defensively, led by the excellent Julia Leas. They’re favorites to get past an injury-affected Pitt team but might not have the quality to topple Florida State. Elsewhere, LSU is good going forward, especially when Ida Hermannsdottir is firing. But it’s hard to see them getting out of this weekend's mini group.

Predicted Quarterfinalist: Florida State

Fayetteville, Arkansas — 11/18

Mississippi State vs. Memphis (5 p.m.)

Arkansas vs. Ohio State (7:30 p.m.)

Arkansas appears to have set itself up for success on home soil. The Razorbacks won their opening round match, 6-0, after scoring four goals in the first 16 minutes. They come into Thursday refreshed and ready for an Ohio State side that won’t make things easy. The Buckeyes left it late to beat Bucknell, but can still score in bunches when they’re hot.

In the other matchups, Memphis is on good form having toppled No. 2 seeded St. Louis to open tournament play. Mya Jones has run the show of late, coming up with goals and assists to pace the Tigers going forward. Mississippi State is a solid all round team, but Memphis might be good for another upset.

Predicted Quarterfinalist: Arkansas

Chapel Hill, North Carolina — 11/18

BYU vs. Stanford (2 p.m.)

North Carolina vs. Georgia (6 p.m.)

These two contests might be a bit closer than anticipated. BYU and Stanford will be an interesting one. Although they didn't meet this year, Stanford has won the last five contests between the two. Both sides won their opening matches convincingly, and come into Thursday’s match refreshed. BYU will certainly be up for it, but it’s hard to look past Stanford’s quality in attack.

Does Georgia’s run end here? In years prior, it might be easy to rule out the Bulldogs in this fixture. But this iteration of UNC seems more beatable, and Keidane McAlpine’s team might make the Tar Heels uncomfortable. If they can do so for 90 minutes, though, remains to be seen.

Predicted Quarterfinalist: Stanford

South Bend, Indiana — 11/18

Michigan State vs. TCU (2 p.m.)

Notre Dame vs. Santa Clara (6 p.m.)

Michigan State has enjoyed one of the best seasons in school history, while TCU hasn’t quite delivered on the top 10 promise many had it pegged for. A closer look at the teams suggests that Michigan State should do away with the Horned Frogs. They appear more balanced and perhaps a little steadier in midfield. But the Horned Frogs have Messiah Bright, who can blow any game open. If the Spartans can stop her and Gracie Brian, a follow up fixture Sunday seems possible.

For Santa Clara, everything rests on the feet of Izzy D’Aquila. The striker has dragged the Broncos to numerous wins this year, and is the sole reason they’re still competing. They can do it defensively, though. The Broncos proved as such when they shut out BYU for the first time at home in four seasons. Notre Dame, meanwhile, also has a star in Korbin Albert, but possesses quality beyond the attacking midfielder. While D’Aquila will undoubtedly trouble the Fighting Irish’s back line, Notre Dame should have more on the day.

Predicted Quarterfinalist: Notre Dame

Tuscaloosa, Alabama — 11/18

Brown vs. UC Irvine (4 p.m.)

Alabama vs. Portland (7 p.m.)

Brown beat a tricky Rutgers side in the first round and will meet a team that recorded an upset of its own, facing off against UC Irvine. The Anteaters are excellent defensively but are sometimes lacking in the final third. Brown might just have enough star power to squeak out a result.

In the match, Alabama appears primed to continue its hot run. The Crimson Tide rolled through a Jackson State team they were expected to beat and heads into Thursday’s clash with Portland in top form. The Pilots could cause some problems, but likely won’t have the defensive nous to deal with Alabama’s attacking prowess.

Predicted Quarterfinalist: Alabama

Durham, North Carolina — 11/18

South Carolina vs. Harvard (4 p.m.)

Duke vs. Texas (6:30 p.m.)

South Carolina and Harvard should be an interesting matchup. The Gamecocks’ defense has been reliable as ever, while striker Catherine Barry has chipped in with enough goals to keep them winning. Harvard isn’t quite as defined in its style, but has a number of options, as well as an experienced spine. But South Carolina has been here before — and that might be enough for a win.

Texas heads into Friday’s contest looking to prove some detractors wrong. The Longhorns weren’t given a favorable seed, and have been subject to one of the trickiest second round draws out there. The inverse is, of course, that Duke might feel a little uneasy about this one. Texas has dangerous players all over the pitch, highlighted by the prolific Trinity Byars. But the Longhorns are also shallow, and the Blue Devils might just have too much.

Predicted Quarterfinalist: Duke

University Park, Pennsylvania

Xavier vs. Virginia (2 p.m.)

Penn State vs. West Virginia (4:30 p.m.)

Virginia was one of the ACC’s best teams this year, with regular season wins against UNC and Duke to back things up. After losing to the Blue Devils in the ACC tournament, the Cavaliers have rebounded. They looked at their best against FDU in the first round, with both Hailey Hopkins and Alexa Spaanstra getting on the board in a 4-0 win. Awaiting them is a Xavier side coming off a 4-1 thrashing of Tennessee. The game was closer than the scoreline suggests, with the Mustkateers striking thrice in extra time to secure the win. But they’re still a tough opponent — and won’t offer Virginia too many looks on goal.

The other matchup is one of two teams that got hot at the right time. West Virginia’s defense has been among the nation’s best in recent weeks — something the Mountaineers continued to show in a 2-0 win over Virginia Tech. Penn State, meanwhile, has found its attack in recent weeks. Ally Schlegel has started to show the goalscoring prowess that many thought she could, and the rest of the unit has developed around her. West Virginia held off Texas and TCU, can it shut out another quality attack?

Projected quarterfinalist: Penn State

Los Angeles - 11/18

Northwestern vs. Vanderbilt, 7 p.m.

UCLA vs. UCF, 10 p.m.

Vanderbilt edged Clemson in the first round, with goalkeeper Sara Wojdelko continuing her hot run to keep the Tigers out. It will rely on the same model against Northwestern. The Wildcats were without star defender Emma Phillips against SIUE but still rolled to a 3-0 win. Can they do it again?

UCLA has consistently been a top four team in the nation this season. New head coach Marg Aosaza jelled with the team quickly, putting together a smooth system that has served her well. But UCF has played some top teams close — and could have won at UNC earlier this year. Though the Bruins have more talent, the Knights won’t go quietly.

Projected quarterfinalist: UCLA