The University of Maine women’s soccer team had to wait a little while on Monday afternoon to find out who they’ll play to start the NCAA tournament.
The Black Bears, heading to their third straight Division I tourney after taking home another American East crown on Sunday, had to watch most of the tournament bracket be unveiled before hearing their name called Monday by the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Committee.
UMaine’s tournament draw was finally announced in the fourth and final section of the bracket, with the Black Bears nabbing a 10-seed and facing off against No. 7 University of Central Florida.
After a few moments of relief, when members of the UMaine team thought they might be picked to play against national powerhouses like top-seeded Stanford, they finally got word that they’ll be facing off against the UCF Knights.
That first round matchup is slated for 7 p.m. Friday in Orlando, Florida.
You can watch the UMaine team react to the tournament draw announcement here.
“We’re gonna treat it like any other game, and really stay in our routine and do the things that we do well,” UMaine coach Scott Atherley said after the tournament bracket was released.
While the Maine soccer team is no stranger to the NCAA tourney, having won the previous two conference titles as well, this one stands out given the adversity that the Black Bears faced and the dramatic flourish they provided during the America East tournament.
Beset by several key injuries, UMaine almost missed the playoffs entirely. But the Black Bears went on to win their last two conference tournament games in thrilling fashion, with a double overtime victory over top-seeded Binghamton and a penalty kick win over Vermont on Sunday.
UMaine freshman goalkeeper Elena Barenberg made two saves to help her team triumph 4-3 in that penalty kick shootout.
Barenberg was asked about her game-winning save after the NCAA bracket announcement on Monday.
“It’s an incredible feeling. It’s of course so awesome with the team, to be there for them, and to be able to make that save for them,” Barenberg said. “Because we fought so hard in that game.”
She called it “so crazy” to get to experience an NCAA tournament berth in her freshman year, and described her team as a family.
Each trip to the tournament is meaningful, Atherley said.
“It’s very special. It never gets old. I think what’s different is the emotion coming off of the conference win,” Atherley said, noting that the first conference title had the team feeling exhausted after a lot of hype.
But that wasn’t the case on Monday, with the Black Bears already playing like they have nothing to lose.
“Today just feels like any normal Monday, and I think that’s a good sign,” Atherley said.
Mid-way through the season, with UMaine losing six players for the year to injury, Atherley wouldn’t have pictured his team in this position again. But that adversity also helped fuel them.
“I think it’s what galvanized our team, to be very honest with you,” Atherley said. “I think people just said, ‘Alright, let’s just play, and not over-think things.’”