BY TRISTAN SASSE
On Monday, November 6, the field for the Division II NCAA National Tournament was set. The MIAA champion Fort Hays State University Tigers received a No. 2 seed in the Central Region.
The Tigers (11-5-2) will face the Northeastern State Riverhawks (13-5) in the Central Regional Final on either November 16 or 17. The location for the match has yet to be determined.
The contest will be the third match between the two schools this season. Fort Hays won the first head-to-head game on Sunday, September 24, 2-1 in overtime. The Riverhawks found redemption in the second contest on Sunday, October 15, winning 3-1.
Both teams have rebounded after slow starts to the season. After starting 0-4-2, the Tigers have won 11 of their past 12 games. Northeastern State began the season 0-3, before going on to win 13 of their past 15 matches.
The winner of this match will advance to the national quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. Fort Hays has advanced to the national quarterfinals in each of the past three seasons.
Note: More information on the tournament will be released once earlier rounds are determined.