The Rice soccer team earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by defeating the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 2-0 in the Conference USA Tournament championship match April 17 at Holloway Field.
The Owls (12-2-1), who claimed their third C-USA Tournament title, are making their fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament. They have won nine straight matches entering their first-round matchup against Furman University (8-0-2), which is set for 2 p.m. April 28 in Cary, North Carolina (click here for the bracket).
Goalkeeper Bella Kilgore recorded her eighth consecutive shutout in the C-USA final. She was backed by goals from Rebecca Keane and Callie Ericksen.
Rice's Delaney Schultz recorded two assists over the Owls' three C-USA Tournament victories and was named the offensive MVP. Mijke Roelfsema was selected as the defensive MVP. Caleigh Boeckx and Rebecca Keane joined them on the all-tournament team.
Rice opened the C-USA tournament with a 3-0 victory over Old Dominion University, then advanced to the championship match via penalty kicks after playing to a 0-0 draw against the University of Southern Mississippi in the semifinals.
For more, visit RiceOwls.com.