![Junior Elle Street](/sports/wsoc/2024-25/photos/wsoc-street-elle.jpg)
Simpson to open NCAA Tournament against Wis.-La Crosse
INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson College women's soccer team is set to face Wis.-La Crosse in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Division III Championship in St. Louis, Mo.
The Storm are making their second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament and third overall. Simpson is 2-2 all-time in the national playoffs, with victories over Grinnell in 1999 and St. Catherine in 2023.
The winner of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament, Wis.-La Crosse is making its fourth consecutive appearance in the national tournament. The Eagles are 11-4-4 in the championship history and advanced to the quarterfinals a year ago.
No. 1 Washington-St. Louis (17-0-2) and DePauw (12-5-3) will square off in the first game of the day beginning at 5:30 p.m.
NCAA DIII TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND
Simpson (14-2-3) vs Wis.-La Crosse (16-3-2)
Saturday, Nov. 16 | 8 p.m.
Francis Olympic Field | St. Louis, Mo.
Live Video | Live Stats
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The winners of Saturday's two games will advance to play each other in the round of 32 on Sunday. The game is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
SERIES NOTES
Wis.-La Crosse leads the all-time series 5-2-1 and has won the last four matchups over the Storm, including a 3-1 victory in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Simpson's last victory came in 2004.
ABOUT THE STORM
- The Storm bring a 14-2-3 record into the national tournament, with their only losses being to the No. 2 Loras.
- The Storm held an unblemished record through their first 13 games, a program first.
- Fourteen different players have scored for the Storm this season led by Cassie Nash's 18 goals. Seniors Maddie Hays and Hailey Kowzan rank second with six, while Jordyn Foelske and Savannah Schneider have each scored five times.
- Along with their goals, Kowzan has dished out 11 assists, Nash has tallied eight, and Foelske has recorded six.
- Meredith Downs is 12-2-3 as the Storm's starting goalkeeper in 2024, making 54 saves and boasting a 0.91 goals against average.
- The Storm defense has blanked 10 opponents, while the offense has outscored opponents 58-15.
- Downs, Hays, Kowzan, Nash and Wagoner all landed on the All-A-R-C First Team, while Foelske, Ally Hoffa, Savannah Schneider and Elle Street garnered honorable mention accolades.
ABOUT THE EAGLES
- Wis.-La Crosse enters the tournament with 16 victories, the fifth-most wins in single season school history.
- The Eagles won their seventh regular season WIAC title this year and are currently on a 12-game unbeaten streak.
- Jillian Sawadski leads the team in goals (11) and points (25), while Chelsea Gale is second with eight goals and 20 points.
- Sawadski, Gale, Ellie Ardnt, Ellie Behnke, Alexis McMahon and Addie Pauing were named to the All-WIAC First Team, while Sophie Pope was selected to the honorable mention squad.
- The Eagles have outscored opponents 65-23 and earned 10 shutouts.