Sixth-seeded Hawks excited about going to Ohio

Senior defender Cathy Rometti will be playing in her third NCAA Tournament in four years.

The Rockhurst women's soccer team is excited about returning to the NCAA Midwest Regional and even more excited they are traveling to Findlay, Ohio.

Sixth-seeded Rockhurst, 14-5, will meet third-seeded Findlay, 14-2-1, on Thursday at 1 p.m. EST in a first-round game in the NCAA Midwest Regional at Findlay's DeHaven Field. The winner will advance to Saturday's second-round game at 1:00 p.m. EST in Findlay.

The Hawks have played their past four NCAA Tournaments at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Michigan dating back to 2012. Head coach Greg Herdlick is glad his team will have a chance to play a new team in a new environment.

"It's nice to get to nationals and play somebody we've never played before," Herdlick said. "I think they are excited and glad they are not going to Michigan. They are hoping to make amends for a slow ending to our season and hopefully come away with a couple of wins this weekend."

The Hawks, who started off the season with a 10-1 record, have gone 4-4 in their last eight games. Rockhurst finished with a 1-1 record in the GLVC Tournament.

"Our seniors have been a strong class to go to three (NCAA) tournaments in four years," Herdlick said. "It's certainly led by our two captains in defenders Cathy Rometti and Colleen Pikus. We hope to have a strong showing," said Herdlick, who has guided the Hawks to 226 wins in 21 seasons.

Findlay won the Great Midwest Conference regular season title and lost to Ohio Dominican 1-0 in the semifinals of the GMAC Tournament. Senior midfielder Sierra Peacock leads the Oilers with 10 goals and 23 points. Freshman midfielder Jayla Campbell has nine goals and 20 points.

"Obviously they had a very strong regular season," Herdlick said of Findlay. "They never allowed more than one goal in a game so they are strong defensively. And they were able to put the ball in the net a lot, so we will definitely have our hands full."

This the Hawks' seventh trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2008. Rockhurst has lost its last three games in the national tournament and has a 2-6 record in its past six tournaments.

Junior forward Jillian Leetch leads the Hawks with six goals and 19 points. She was named first team All-GLVC and first team D2CCA All-Region.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Jillian Leetch: M; 5' 9"; Junior

#23 Colleen Pikus: D; 5' 7"; Senior

#18 Cathy Rometti: D; 5' 7"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#14 Jillian Leetch
: 5' 9"; Junior
: M

#23 Colleen Pikus
: 5' 7"; Senior
: D

#18 Cathy Rometti
: 5' 7"; Senior
: D

Rockhurst University Athletics

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Sixth-seeded Hawks excited about going to Ohio

Players Mentioned

#14 Jillian Leetch

#23 Colleen Pikus

#18 Cathy Rometti

Players Mentioned

#14 Jillian Leetch

#23 Colleen Pikus

#18 Cathy Rometti