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PROVO — There are few things more magical than the NCAA Tournament for BYU women's soccer coach Jennifer Rockwood.
Playing those games at home is one of them.
The veteran head coach officially guided her team to the tourney for the 17th time in 21 seasons Monday afternoon when the selection committee slotted in BYU's home game against crosstown rival Utah Valley at 1 p.m. Saturday at South Field.
"We worked really hard this year to get to this spot, so we're extremely excited about hosting a first-round NCAA game," Rockwood said after learning her team's fate. "The fact we get to play at South Field doesn't get any better, and playing a local team means it will be an amazing atmosphere. I think it will be a great game."
BYU (15-2-2) made a case for a seeded pick this season, but instead will fit into a bracket that could see them travel to top-seeded Stanford if the Cougars get past the Wolverines. Utah Valley (14-6-2) finished tied for second in the Western Athletic Conference and will make its first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament after capturing the WAC Tournament title in Seattle over the weekend.
Both teams know each other well, even though BYU officially leads the all-time series after only one match, a 1-0 victory in 2012.
"UVU has had a phenomenal year, one of their best years," Rockwood said. "I've known a lot of those girls through camp and the recruiting process. We are aware of the great players they have. It's great for the sport in our community, and I think we'll get a lot of fans at the game. It will be a great atmosphere."
UVU has 22 players from the state of Utah on its roster, including seven from Utah County. BYU has 15 players from the state with two from Utah County.
"A lot of the girls on that team I know and have played with and against," said BYU midfielder Elena Medeiros, who prepped at Bountiful High. "We know how each other play, and it brings a different vibe into a game. It will definitely take some more focus on our part, and more to go after that it get a win."
The experience of four straight West Coast Conference titles — along with what the Cougars hope is a home-field advantage — will play a significant role in the first round.
"We have a really good fan base," said defender Paige Hunt, another Bountiful native. "It's very different when you play at home; you are comfortable, you are calm and having our fans by our side, it helps."
BYU will also be able to count on a fully healthy Ashley Hatch. The junior from Gilbert, Arizona, was a Hermann Trophy candidate and preseason All-American before a knee injury sidelined her for most of the regular season.
Hatch made her return to the field Saturday night in the regular-season finale against Saint Mary's, taking a nine-minute runout during BYU's 4-1 win over the Gaels.
Another game at South Field during her junior season will do her good, then.
"It's really hard to sit on the bench during all those home games because home games are my favorite," said Hatch, who has 28 goals and 15 assists in his BYU career. "Not having to travel or worry about where we are playing, but playing in the comfort of South Field will be awesome."
The Cougars held out hopes of earning one of the top-four seeds in each bracket from the selection committee. They beat Cal, a No. 3-seed that will host Loyola Marymount, in Hawaii during the opening week of the regular season, and also drew Santa Clara on the road — before the Broncos (15-5-2) grabbed a No. 4-seed after finishing fourth in the WCC.
Stanford, Florida State, Penn State and Virginia each grabbed a No. 1 seed in the 64-team bracket. The final is scheduled for Dec. 6 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
"I've seen a lot (of NCAA selection shows) over the years, and I don't always agree with the selection, as I'm sure a lot of coaches don't," Rockwood said. "But I'm sure they do their best with the information they have.
"Those things are not in our control. All we can do now is prepare for what has been given us. I believe that our team did what it needed to do to be seeded ... so we'll push forward and do the best we can Saturday and see what happens."
