Valparaiso University's women's soccer team will face a formidable opponent on Friday evening in its first NCAA Tournament appearance as the Crusaders have drawn defending national champion Notre Dame in the First Round to be played in South Bend, Ind. at 6:30 p.m. CST.

The Crusaders are coming off of their first Mid-Continent Conference regular season and tournament titles, and earned the league's automatic bid to the championships.

Notre Dame (19-2, 10-1 Big East) won the Big East Tournament this past weekend and is the second seed in the lower left quadrant. The Fighting Irish have won ten in a row and will serve as the host for the First and Second Rounds of the championship.

Valpo (12-7-1, 4-2 Mid-Con) and Notre Dame will meet for the first time ever on Friday, with the winner advancing to the Second Round on Sunday at 12 p.m. CST against the winner of the Bowling Green-Michigan State match which will also be played at Notre Dame. That match begins at 4 p.m. CST on Friday.

Head Coach Stephen Anthony's team has already set a school record for victories in a season, and will be looking to become the first Mid-Continent Conference team to ever win a match in the NCAA Tournament.