QUARTERFINALS
NO. 1 PENN STATE (15-3-1, 9-1-0 BIG TEN) VS. NO. 8 IOWA (8-7-4, 4-5-0)
The Nittany Lions have now earned their 10th-consecutive conference regular-season championship by finishing at the top of the pack. Despite a recent hiccup against Minnesota, Penn State should be able to coast past the Hawkeyes.
DAILY pick: Penn State 3-0 Iowa
NO. 4 INDIANA (12-5-2, 5-4-1) VS. NO. 5 OHIO STATE (11-8-0, 5-5-0)
Ohio State beat Indiana 1-0 when these two teams in the regular season, but the Buckeyes’ confidence may have suffered after back-to-back defeats against Purdue and Penn State at the end of the season. Expect the Hoosiers to edge out the Buckeyes in this one.
DAILY pick: Indiana 2-1 Ohio State
NO. 3 ILLINOIS (11-5-1, 5-3-1) VS. NO. 5 MINNESOTA (9-8-1, 5-5-0)
After not making it to the Big Ten tournament last year, the Gophers will have a point to prove. They’ve already upset Penn State this season, but Illinois is solid at the back and has a leader who can will the team on when it counts in 2006 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Ella Massar.
DAILY pick: Illinois beats Minnesota on penalties
NO. 2 PURDUE (15-2-2, 8-1-1) VS. NO. 7 NORTHWESTERN (9-5-4, 4-4-2)
Purdue thumped the Wildcats 5-0 earlier in the season, but senior goalkeeper Lauren Johnston has inspired NU to a 3-1-2 record in the last six matches. Things are coming together for the Cats and confidence is booming. The first goal of the match will be vital. If NU gets that, it has the defensive form to hold on for an upset.
DAILY pick: Northwestern 1-0 Purdue
SEMIFINALS
NO. 1 PENN STATE VS. NO. 4 INDIANA
The Hoosiers’ Kristen Arnold leads the Big Ten in goals this season, but Penn State’s Katie Schoepfer is not far behind. Expect this match to have a lot of goals, but the Nittany Lions have the experience to take the win.
DAILY pick: Penn State 4-1 Indiana
NO. 3 ILLINOIS VS. NO. 7 NORTHWESTERN
The Illini held the Cats to a 0-0, double-overtime draw earlier in the season. Despite the Cats’ booming confidence, though, their luck may run out here against a solid Illinois team.
DAILY pick: Illinois 2-0 Northwestern
FINALS
NO. 1 PENN STATE VS. NO. 3 ILLINOIS
This is a repeat of last year’s final and a chance for senior Ella Massar to end her Illinois career in style. The Nittany Lions beat the Illini 2-1 earlier in the season and this match promises to be a defensive battle. Penn State gets the edge with its experience.
DAILY pick: Penn State 2-1 Illinois
– Pritish Behuria
