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Gators host NCAA games; UM, FSU in

© St. Petersburg Times,
published November 13, 2001

The Florida and Florida State women's soccer teams were selected for the NCAA Tournament, but one was happier about it than the other.

Florida, seeded sixth, hosts a region that includes Central Florida, Georgia and Miami.

"We're excited to host," Florida coach Becky Burleigh said. "That was something we had goals for at the end of the season and we knew it would be based on how well we did all year. It hasn't been that long since we played Central Florida (two seasons ago), but we'll have to do our homework between now and then."

Georgia plays Miami at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Percy Beard Stadium in Gainesville. Central Florida (14-5) plays Florida (17-3-1) at 5. The winners play at 2 Sunday for a spot in the third round on Nov. 23. Central Florida is making its eighth NCAA appearance, the Hurricanes their first. Florida, making its sixth consecutive appearance, automatically qualified by winning the Southeastern Conference tournament last week.

Florida State was disappointed not to be hosting.

"I love the fact that we're in," coach Patrick Baker said. "But to play the schedule that we had, and to have the season that we had, and to have a run in the ACC Tournament like we had and not host and have Clemson host is, in all honesty, disappointing."

FSU (14-7-1) will bus to Clemson and play Auburn (11-7-1), making its NCAA Tournament debut, at noon Friday. Clemson (12-4-1) meets Kentucky (12-7-1) in the second game. The winners meet Sunday.

The Seminoles, who hosted a first-round game last season and reached the Sweet 16, set a school record this year for regular-season wins, reached the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament finale for the first time and are 8-7-1 against NCAA Tournament teams. They beat Clemson 3-2 this year on the road.

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