ALBANY – The College of Saint Rose is a mere one step away from a return trip to the Championship Finals n Tampa. However, the Golden Knights (23-0-0) must first get by California, PA (19-5-1) in tomorrow's national quarterfinal encounter. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm on the campus of Siena College and will mark the first meeting ever between the two clubs who arrive ranked #2 and #23 respectively in the final NSCAA/Adidas Division II Poll.

Second ranked Saint Rose got to this point with Friday's 1-0 East Regional Championship victory against visiting #20 Franklin Pierce. The Golden Knights previously upended visiting Merrimack 2-1 in last Sunday's second round. Meanwhile, California advanced with Friday's 2-0 triumph against Indiana, PA in the Atlantic Regional Championship game at Siena. The Vulcans upended West Virginia Wesleyan and Kutztown by respective scores of 1-0 and 3-1 in the opening two rounds.

Saint Rose possesses a balanced attack coupled with a superlative defensive corps. Eighteen different players have figured in the scoring column, including 14 who have recorded at least one goal. Junior midfielder Amanda Deck, who accounted for the lone tally in Friday's win versus Franklin Pierce, has produced a team-leading 25 points with nine goals and seven assists. Sophomore forwards Gianna D'Errico and Nicola D'Errico follow with 15 and 14 points respectively. Gianna D'Errico has five goals and a like number of assists, while her twin sister Nicola D'Errico has five goals and four helpers to her credit.

Junior backs Katie Whiting, Kelly Guerin and Coco Ebersole anchor a defense, along with freshman Meagan McKinney, that leads the NE-10 and is second in the nation with a 0.26 goals-against-average. Saint Rose has allowed a mere six goals all season, none in the first half. Furthermore, senior keeper Shannon Murphy has registered a 0.50 GAA throughout 180 minutes of NCAA Tournament action.

As for California, the Vulcans are led by senior forward Amanda Heister who has 19 strikes to go with four assists for 42 points on the year. She is followed by junior striker Sam Regney who has 26 points behind nine goals and eight assists. Furthermore, junior midfielder Carina Honeygosky paces the squad with nine helpers. Sophomore keeper Paula Jackson owns a 0.70 GAA and a 0.823 save percentage.

Saint Rose is 8-6-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament contests. A year ago, the Golden Knights defeated Mercyhurst (PA) 3-2 in a national quarterfinal affair at West Chester University (PA) after Deck scored the game-winner in the 79th minute. That victory helped solidify the program's first-ever Championship Finals appearance.

Tickets for Sunday's game are $7 for general admission, $3 for college students (with ID) and senior citizens, and $2 for children ages 2-12. Tickets may be purchased at the gate. Saint Rose is also offering a live audio webcast of the contest.

NCAA Interactive Bracket; Live Audio; NCAA Championship Central