Jessica Dotson's 65th-minute goal lifted visiting Nebraska-Omaha to a 1-0 victory Saturday over No. 1 Northern Kentucky, sending the Mavericks to the NCAA Division II final four Dec. 6-8 at Virginia, Beach, Va.
Nebraska-Omaha (21-0-0) survived a Stephanie Sandfoss chip with its goalkeeper out of position about 20 minutes from the finish, but the ball hit the right post. Northern Kentucky (20-1-2) was seeking its fourth successive D2 final-four appearance.
Christian Brothers (22-1-0) reached its second straight final four as Tina Froberg scored a pair of second-half goals in a 3-1 triumph over visiting North Florida. Jessica Hester also tallied for the Bucs, who were without star forward Missy Gregg, who was injured in a second-round victory over Barry. Gregg, a former Division I All-American at Dayton, has scored 61 goals this season and 131 in two seasons at CBU.
Nebraska-Omaha will meet the winner of Sunday's Franklin Pierce-Adelphi match in the semifinals. Christian Brothers will face the winner of Sunday's Metro State-UC Davis clash.
Both Wheatons fell on penalty kicks following 0-0 draws in Division III quarterfinal action Saturday. William Smith (14-3-6) overcame Wheaton, Mass. (22-1-1) and Messiah (21-0-1) topped Wheaton, Ill. (18-2-4).
Defending champion Ohio Wesleyan (21-0-1) also went through to the semifinals on PKs following a scoreless tie, eliminating St. Thomas, Minn. (13-3-4). Goalkeeper Mindy Hammond led the Battling Bishops, stopping one penalty kick and converting another. OWU will face William Smith in the semifinals.
Messiah will take on Trinity, Texas (21-1-0), which scored twice in the final 14 minutes for a 2-1 victory over Puget Sound (17-3-1). Lindsay Rowland tallied in the 77th minute and set up Haley Chandler's 88th-minute winner.