ALBANY – The College of Saint Rose garnered its sixth NCAA Tournament bid within the past seven years in early November. On Thursday, the Golden Knights will be making their first “Final Four” appearance throughout their 18-year NCAA Division II era against the University of West Florida with a chance to play in the national championship match on the line. Thursday's contest will be played at Pepin Stadium on the campus of the University of Tampa at 7:00 pm.

Saint Rose (20-3-2) earned a spot in the “Final Four” following a 3-2 victory versus 17th-ranked Mercyhurst College on Sunday, November 23 in a national quarterfinal contest. It was the first ever meeting between the two clubs and the first time in program history the Golden Knights advanced past the Round of 16. Saint Rose had played in the Round of 16 on three previous occasions (2003, 2006, 2007), falling to five-time national champion Franklin Pierce University in all three instances.

A total of 18 members of this year's squad were part of last season's trip to the New England Regional final. Additionally, the Golden Knights are 6-5-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament games.

Meanwhile, West Florida (23-0-1) is the only unbeaten team left in the country and is also making a “Final Four” appearance for the first time in program history. The second-ranked Argonauts have not allowed a goal in the NCAA Tournament having outscored their three previous opponents by a 5-0 margin. Furthermore, West Florida is second in the nation in goals-against-average (0.25), shutout percentage (.792) and is third in scoring offense (3.95 gpg). The Argos own an 88-6 goal scoring margin this season and have chalked up 19 shutouts.

Saint Rose has also relied heavily on a defense that is ranked 28th in the country behind a 0.71 GAA. Junior keeper Shannon Murphy, who did not allow a tally during the first two games of NCAA Tournament action, anchors the unit with an 18-2-2 record, 59 saves and eight shutouts to go with a 0.59 GAA. The latter represents the 16th-best mark in the nation and her 18 wins are a single-season school record.

Offensively, nine different players have found the back of the net this postseason. Freshman midfielder Christina Cuffari and sophomore forward Jazmine Farrell lead the balanced attack with 21 points apiece. Cuffari has a team-best eight goals to go with five assists, while Farrell has seven markers and a like number of assists. Senior forward and Daktronics All-Region pick Kailey Egbert is on their heels with 18 points behind seven goals and four assists.

West Florida has a formidable scoring trio in junior midfielders Shaneka Gordon, Marcela Franco and Dernelle Mascall. Gordon is tied for seventh in the country with 56 points behind 22 goals and 12 assists. Meanwhile, Franco has contributed 20 goals and nine assists, while Mascall has 17 strikes and 12 helpers for 46 points. They have combined for 67.0 percent (59-of-88) of the team's goal scoring this season.

Junior keeper Courtney Jones has started all 24 games between the posts. She leads all of Division II with a slim 0.22 GAA with 37 saves and an .881 save percentage. Jones has yet to allow a goal in the NCAA Tournament.

Prior to Thursday's match, #7 Metro State (20-1-3) will meet #4 Seattle Pacific (20-1-2) in the other semifinal at 4:00 pm. The Roadrunners have won two national titles (2004 and 2006) while the Falcons are making their third “Final Four” appearance within the past four years on the strength of a 15-game unbeaten streak. The winners of both semifinal encounters will meet at 3:30 Saturday in the national championship game.

Thursday's semifinal games are being webcast (video and audio) and can be accessed through the official tournament webpage. Meanwhile, Saturday's 3:30 pm national championship match will be televised live on the CBS College Sports Network. Admission to this weekend's games is $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students from participating schools with a valid ID.