Eva Frazzoni and her College of Saint Rose team-mates will host Daemen College in their NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer East Regional opener at the Plumeri Sports Complex in Albany, New York, today.

The home side are the favourites as the tournament’s top seed and also having won the previous encounter against the eighth seed in the regular season.

However, Frazzoni insists her team-mates are not taking anything for granted against the visiting side. “Every team in the NCAA tournament has earned their spot,” said the former Bermuda Under-20 women’s captain.

“Despite getting the job done last time, we saw Daemen we have to get the job done again.

“It doesn’t matter how we look on paper, we have to show up on the day and compete at our best. If we do that then I know we will achieve our task.”

Saint Rose secured their spot in the NCAA Tournament via a 3-2 victory over Southern Connecticut State in last Sunday’s Northeast-10 Conference Championship final, which they also hosted.

“It was a thrilling match and a great battle by both teams,” Frazzoni added.

“We had a slow start but knew starting the second half we needed to take control of the match and I believe we did just that.

“Southern Connecticut came out strong and definitely tested us. However, that win shows how resilient and passionate we are. Holding that trophy and to be named All Championship Team is surreal. I just hope I can continue to fight for my team and support them in the best way I can.”

Today’s other NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer East Regional first-round match at the Plumeri Sports Complex will pit Saint Rose’s conference rival Stonehill, the fourth-seed, against fifth-seed Jefferson.

Saint Rose will also host the second-round match on Sunday.