Judson women get NAIA bid

The Judson University women’s soccer team is headed to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in program history.

The Eagles, who lost to Saint Xavier in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship game over the weekend, learned Sunday night they had received an at-large bid to the national tournament.

Judson, which tied for the CCAC regular-season title, will travel to Embry Riddle University in Daytona Beach, Fla., to play an opening round game on Saturday. A win in that game would send the Eagles to the final 16 tournament in Decatur, Ala., next week.

Judson (16-2-2) is ranked No. 15 in NAIA. Embry Riddle is No. 8.

“I am so excited right now,” said Judson coach Diego Cevallos. “This is a great moment for this team as they have worked so hard this season. I am so proud of them and what they have accomplished so far.”

Embry Riddle is 16-2-1 on the season and won the Sun Conference tournament for the third straight year.