Northwestern Super Regional Notes in PDF Format
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Map to UIC Flames Field Parking in PDF Format
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May 24, 2005

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Now that the Cubs and Sox have completed their first series of the season, it is time for another Chicagoland rivalry to take center stage on the diamond, with a whole lot at stake.

No. 9 seed Northwestern and DePaul will jointly host a best-two-out-of-three Super Regional at Illinois-Chicago's Flames Field Friday and Saturday, May 27-28, for the right to go to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Friday's game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., while Saturday's first pitch will be at 5 p.m. The third game would begin immediately following the conclusion of Saturday's contest, if necessary.

Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for youth, seniors and students with a valid college ID. Parking will be available in the lot at the corner of Maxwell and Halsted for a per day fee. Click here for more information on Flames Field.

A student fan shuttle leaving from NU's Evanston campus will be provided for the series. Email wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu for more information.

This weekend marks the first time in history that two Chicagoland schools have squared off in a series with the winner advancing to the WCWS, and therefore guaranteeing Chicago representation in Oklahoma City. DePaul beat UIC twice in 1996 and again in 1999 during eight-team NCAA Regional competition, but never in a championship game.

Northwestern advanced to this Super Regional after winning the Ninth Regional hosted by Notre Dame. After ND sent the Wildcats into the consolation bracket, 3-2, in the second game, NU defeated Louisville before twice beating the Irish to win the Regional title.

DePaul advanced to the Eighth Regional championship in the winner's bracket, where it defeated No. 8 seed and Pac-10 champion Oregon State, 8-6, in the seventh game of the tournament. The Beavers had been upset into the loser's bracket by UW-Green Bay in their first game, 1-0.

DePaul is one of just two unseeded teams to advance to the Super Regional stage. The top 16 teams in the tournament all were seeded.

Northwestern has played in four best-two-out-of-three NCAA tournament series in program history, with all four coming in the mid-80's when just 16 teams were invited to the Tournament. The Wildcats won the first three of those, advancing to the WCWS in 1984, 85 and 86. NU fell in its last such appearance in 1987.

Overall, Northwestern in 19-16 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, with its best finish coming in 1984, when the Wildcats were third in the WCWS. No Big Ten team has ever finished higher.

Also, Northwestern head coach Kate Drohan participated in a live chat on cstv.com Tuesday afternoon. Click here to read the chat wrap!

More information about the series including directions, shuttle and parking information and detailed game notes will be available on this page in the near future. Continue to monitor NUsports.com for updates!