West Point, NY– The Army West Point women’s soccer team will make its long-awaited return to the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, traveling to University Park, Pennsylvania, to face the No. 8-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions in a first-round matchup at Jeffrey Field. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 15.
The Black Knights (14-5-2) are making their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2011—a 14-year drought that ends with a familiar opponent. In a twist of fate, Saturday’s match marks a rematch of Army’s last tournament appearance, when the Black Knights fell 1-0 to the Nittany Lions in heartbreaking fashion after Penn State scored in the final minutes at the same venue.
A Homecoming for Army
Under head coach Tracy Chao, the second-winningest coach in program history, Army has enjoyed a resurgent 2025 campaign. The Black Knights captured the Patriot League Championship and entered the tournament with 14 wins, their highest total in recent years. Team captains Bella Cook, Jordan Follenweider, and Cami Silvestro have led a squad determined to rewrite the narrative from 2011.
Army’s previous NCAA Tournament appearances came in 2008 and 2011, both resulting in first-round exits. The Black Knights are 0-2 all-time in tournament play and 0-1 against Penn State, but this year’s team carries momentum and experience that could prove pivotal in their quest to advance.
“First and foremost, so proud of this group!” head coach Tracy Chao said. “The fight all season has been nothing but pure determination, heart, commitment, and mostly joy! They have individually and collectively stayed grounded in our values, Agape, Ubuntu, and Invictus, which is seen on and off the field with who they are as amazing young women, cadets, students, athletes, and future leaders. We talk about thriving in this unique environment, and they have thrived together, where it has always been about the team first with love and an unconquerable mentality. Truly proud of this amazing group of 28, and this group is leaving a legacy for the future of AWS.”
“It’s not just about today but the work this team has put in since we were eliminated by BU last fall,” head coach Tracy Chao reflected after Army’s championship-clinching victory. “But it’s a collective effort from all 28 of our players. Proud of them and the focus, commitment, and trust they continue to have in each other and us!”
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Penn State’s Streak Continues
Penn State (9-7-3) extended one of the most impressive streaks in women’s college soccer, earning its 31st consecutive NCAA Tournament selection—the second-longest active streak in the nation. The Nittany Lions have appeared in every tournament since 1995 and are led by head coach Erica Dambach, who has guided Penn State to the postseason in all 19 years of her tenure.
“Penn State has been selected as the No. 8 seed in the Charlottesville regional, the 19th seeded selection in program history,” the program announced Monday evening.
The Nittany Lions boast an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 66-28-3 and claimed the program’s lone national championship in 2015 under Dambach. This season, Penn State will host its 14th opening-round match in the past 15 seasons.
Star Power on Both Sides
Penn State enters the match with one of the Big Ten Conference’s most potent attacks, led by First Team All-Big Ten forward Kaitlyn MacBean. The graduate student from Excelsior, Minnesota, led all Big Ten players with seven goals during the regular season and added another in the conference tournament. MacBean ranks fourth among active collegians in career goals with 38 and 11th nationally in career points with 86.
“MacBean becomes the 25th woman in Penn State history to become a multi-time First Team All-B1G selection,” the conference announced, “marking the 32nd year in a row that a Nittany Lion has appeared on the conference’s first team.”
Senior forward Amelia White earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors after recording 13 points on five goals and three assists, including two match-winning goals in conference play. The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native has started all 19 matches this season.
The Army West Point Black Knights women’s soccer team celebrates their NCAA Tournament selection on Monday evening. The Black Knights (14-5-2) will face No. 8-seeded Penn State in a first-round rematch at Jeffrey Field on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. ET. Photo credit: Army West Point Athletics. The Army West Point Black Knights women’s soccer team celebrates their NCAA Tournament selection on Monday evening. The Black Knights (14-5-2) will face No. 8-seeded Penn State in a first-round rematch at Jeffrey Field on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. ET. Photo credit: Army West Point Athletics. The Army West Point Black Knights women’s soccer team celebrates their NCAA Tournament selection on Monday evening. The Black Knights (14-5-2) will face No. 8-seeded Penn State in a first-round rematch at Jeffrey Field on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. ET. Photo credit: Army West Point Athletics.
The Nittany Lions’ attack is orchestrated by redshirt senior midfielder Riley Gleason, who led the Big Ten in assists during the regular season with nine helpers. Sophomore forward Aubrey Kulpa rounds out Penn State’s offensive firepower, leading the team in scoring with 22 points on eight goals and six assists while topping the Big Ten in both goals per match (0.53) and points per match (1.47).
On defense, sophomore Bella Ayscue anchors the back line, appearing in all 19 fixtures and logging over 1,600 minutes.
Army’s Dynamic Duo
For Army, the offensive threat comes from the dynamic pairing of senior midfielder Brigid Duffy and freshman forward Sophia Henry. Duffy, the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, has orchestrated Army’s attack all season with her vision and playmaking ability.
“We’ve got dynamic players and love to see that,” Coach Chao said. “Sab and Brigid are just part of the whole that, honestly, everyone is making each other better and highlighting the collective strength of the team.”
Henry, who earned Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors, has been a revelation in her first collegiate season. Forward Sabrina Rogers provides additional scoring punch, having delivered clutch goals throughout the championship run.
Goalkeeper Karalyn Dail has been a rock in net for the Black Knights, with Coach Chao praising her consistency: “Karalyn continues to lock it down and she’s got a great backline and full team disciplined defense that also has the grit we need when defending.”
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Conference Strength
Penn State is one of nine Big Ten teams selected for the 2025 NCAA Tournament, tied with the ACC and SEC for the most bids from any conference. The Big Ten’s representatives include Michigan State (No. 2 seed), UCLA (No. 4), Washington (No. 4), Wisconsin (No. 4), Iowa (No. 5), Northwestern (No. 9), Ohio State (No. 9), and Illinois (No. 10).
The Nittany Lions faced 10 different NCAA Tournament teams during the regular season, posting four victories against tournament-bound opponents. Defending national champion North Carolina earned a No. 9 seed, while Notre Dame secured the national No. 1 overall seed.
Honoring the Legacy
The journey to this moment has been years in the making, built on the foundation of those who came before and supported by the families who sacrifice alongside their daughters.
“And with that said, this program has the alums to thank for the legacy they have each left,” Chao emphasized. “It is the groundwork laid of those before us that allows us to continue to compete for championships.”
The emotional championship celebration brought together players, families, and the Army West Point community in a moment that transcended the scoreboard.
“And as we told the players after conference championship, it was beautiful to celebrate with all our families,” Chao recalled. “The love our families pour not only into their daughters but to the whole program is incredible. It was truly one of my favorite moments seeing the love shared with the families, friends, and the team.”
History and Motivation
The 2011 matchup remains fresh in the minds of both programs. Army held Penn State scoreless through 85 minutes before Nairn scored off an assist from Hovington with less than five minutes remaining. The Black Knights managed just three shots while Penn State fired 29, with Army goalkeeper making 12 saves in the losing effort.
Fourteen years later, Army returns to Jeffrey Field with a chance at redemption and program history. A victory would mark the Black Knights’ first-ever NCAA Tournament win and send them to the second round for the first time.
“Long time coming for this program,” Coach Chao said with emotion. “It’s for all the alums that have left a massive legacy on this program. And to our families that support their daughters and us throughout the season and careers year in and year out. And to the players now that have battled through the highs and lows and stayed true to our values to get us to the big dance. Pumped!”
For Penn State, the match represents an opportunity to continue building momentum toward another deep tournament run. The Nittany Lions have reached the Women’s College Cup twice under Dambach and will look to use home-field advantage to advance past the opening round for the 14th time in 15 seasons.
Black Knights News
Recent Army West Point Athletics Coverage:
- Army Hockey’s Comeback Comes Up Just Short in 3-2 Loss to Bentley
- Army Men’s Basketball Falls Short in Hard-Fought Battle at St. Thomas, 76-83
- Army Football Grinds Out 14-13 Victory Over Temple Behind Fourth-Quarter Ball Control
- Army Women’s Basketball Stages Relentless Comeback to Defeat St. Thomas, 67-61
- Army Hockey Battles to 3-3 Tie at Bentley, Forselius Delivers Shootout Winner
- Army West Point Women’s Soccer Defeats Boston University 3-2 in Hard-Fought Battle
Looking Ahead
As the Black Knights prepare for their return to the national stage, the team remains focused on the present moment while honoring the journey that brought them here.
“We’re just enjoying every moment together and excited for another opportunity to take the field!” Chao said.
The winner of Saturday’s first-round matchup will advance to face the victor of the match between the Charlottesville regional’s top seed. The 2025 Women’s College Cup will be held at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, home of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current, with semifinals on Dec. 5 and the championship on Dec. 8.
Ticketing information for Saturday’s match will be released as it becomes available. The game will mark Army’s third all-time NCAA Tournament appearance and Penn State’s 31st consecutive trip to the big dance.
As the Black Knights prepare to face their 2011 nemesis, one thing is certain: Army West Point women’s soccer is back on the national stage, and they’re ready to make history.
Tournament Details
The winner of Saturday’s first-round matchup will advance to face the victor of the match between the Charlottesville regional’s top seed. The 2025 Women’s College Cup will be held at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, home of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current, with semifinals on Dec. 5 and the championship on Dec. 8.
Ticketing information for Saturday’s match will be released as it becomes available. The game will mark Army’s third all-time NCAA Tournament appearance and Penn State’s 31st consecutive trip to the big dance.
As the Black Knights prepare to face their 2011 nemesis, one thing is certain: Army West Point women’s soccer is back on the national stage, and they’re ready to make history.
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