WARRENSBURG, Mo. – For the third time in program history, SWOSU Soccer is headed to the NCAA Division II National Tournament, where they will face a familiar face in No. 4-ranked Central Missouri on Friday at the South Rec Complex in Warrensburg.
 
SWOSU claimed the No. 7-seed in the Central Region by way of an automatic berth they earned as the Champions of the Great American Conference Tournament. The Bulldogs defeated Harding and Oklahoma Baptist last weekend to win the GAC Tournament for the fourth time and they'll enter the Central Regional with an overall record of 13-4-3.
 
Awaiting the Bulldogs in the regional quarterfinals is a Central Missouri team that is no stranger to the postseason. The Jennies won the 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship and they're in the regional for the ninth consecutive season and hosting a regional for the eighth time. UCM won the MIAA regular season championship, but they were defeated 1-0 by Central Oklahoma in the conference semifinals and they'll enter the postseason with a record of 17-2-1.
 
SWOSU and UCM are two of the top-four highest scoring teams in the region with both teams averaging above 2.0 goals per game. The Jennies are led by Makayla Toth, who has 17 goals and eight assists to her credit while SWOSU counters with GAC Offensive Player of the Year Sandra Nabweteme, the all-time leading scorer in both school and conference history. Nabweteme led the conference this season with 22 goals and seven assist while also scoring seven game-winning goals.
 
Central Missouri has used two different goalkeepers this season, with Lindsey Johnson making 19 starts and allowing just 16 goals against while making 72 saves. SWOSU's Kirstyn Dill was the First Team All-GAC selection at goalkeeper following a freshman season that has seen her allow 19 goals in 20 matches with 93 saves to her credit.
 
Both of SWOSU's previous NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances have been ended by the Jennies, who defeated the Bulldogs 3-0 on November 11, 2012, and by the same score on November 17, 2017. SWOSU opened the 2019 regular season in Warrensburg, dropping a 4-3 contest back on September 5th despite goals from Brianna Benitez, Hannah Burks and Sandra Nabweteme. The Bulldogs have not allowed more than two goals in any other match this season.
 
Kickoff of the regional quarterfinal is set for 1:00 pm on Friday at the South Rec Complex, following the first quarterfinal which features (3) Concordia-St. Paul against (6) Northeastern State. For full match coverage, visit SWOSUAthletics.com.