Wheaton, Ill. –  The Wheaton College women's soccer team will host opening round action of the 2018 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament on Friday and Saturday at Joe Bean Stadium. This weekend's matches mark the first time Wheaton has hosted NCAA women's soccer action since 2014.

The Thunder (16-3-1) will host Northwestern-St. Paul (11-6-4) in a first round match of the tournament on Friday at 5:00 p.m. Friday's other First Round match at Joe Bean Stadium will feature Loras College (16-3) facing Adrian College (14-5-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday's victors will play each other in a Second Round match at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday to determine who advances to the NCAA Sectional the following weekend.

Wheaton earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. This year's trip to the postseason is Wheaton's 21st appearance in the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. Wheaton is 51-14-5 all-time in the postseason, with seven Final Four appearances and National Championships in 2004, 2006 and 2007, in addition to runner-up finishes in 2008 and 2011. Wheaton's 51 all-time tournament wins is the fourth-highest among current Division III institutions.

Northwestern-St. Paul earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament by winning the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) bid last weekend with a 2-0 victory against UW-Superior in the UMAC Tournament Championship Match. Friday's matchup between the Thunder and Eagles will be the first-ever meeting of the two programs.

Admission for each day is for $6 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens, $2 for ages 3-12. Children under three-years-old will be admitted for free. No free passes (CCIW or Wheaton season passes) will be accepted.

All three matches this weekend will have a free live video broadcast on the Wheaton Thunder Sports Network's online platform. Please note: Per NCAA rules these broadcasts will only air live and will not be archived or available after their original airing.