University of Central Missouri senior Mallory Milburn (center) reacts with joy to the announcement that the Jennies have been selected for the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championships with teammates Randi Fernsler (left) and Heidi Helfers. UCM is seeded fourth in the Central Region and will play defending champion and top seeded Nebraska-Omaha on Friday. (Photo by Dave Kopp)

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Was that a scream or just a very loud sigh of relief?

The University of Central Missouri women's soccer team erupted with joy Monday afternoon when the NCAA announced the Jennies were selected for the Division II Tournament. It's UCM's first postseason berth in the program's 12-year history.

"It's huge because it takes us to another level," UCM head coach Geoff VanDeusen said. "I think this is the hardest championship to get into in Division II because they take so few teams per region. I know the committee had a hard time because there are so many good teams and we're fortunate that we could get in."

Ranked fourth in the Central Region heading into the final weekend, the Jennies knew that wins over Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western would virtually seal their inclusion in the tournament. However, after a tie with Northwest at Maryville on Saturday, UCM's postseason chances were in jeopardy.

Before - Prior to Monday's NCAA Tournament announcement, UCM's (left to right) Carrie Twellman, student assistant Samantha Byers, Sara Rusnak, Hazel Cox and Landri Schmitt waited with nervous anticipation. (Photo by Dave Kopp)

Gathered in a meeting room at the UCM Multipurpose Building, the players fidgeted nervously and the tension was evident on each face. As the time for the announcement drew closer, the team began to join hands, until all 23 players were connected end-to-end.

When Peter Campbell, the Division II Selection committee chair began the nationwide conference call, the room got eerily quiet. The players let out nervous laughs and shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

Mercifully, after the selection process and tournament procedures had all been explained, the first region to be announced was the Central.

"The University of Nebraska-Omaha," Campbell said, "will play the fourth seed, University of Central Missouri and ...."

After - Jennies Carrie Twellman and Hazel Cox embrace as Shannon Ponche and Landri Schmitt (right) voice their approval at being selected for the NCAA Division II Tournament. (Photo by Dave Kopp)

The rest of the announcement went unheard because the Jennies burst into a collective scream. Chairs went flying as the players jumped out of them to celebrate.

It was really exciting, nerve wracking," said sophomore forward Landri Schmitt. "It just comes down to every single game. We were so close and it was just so nerve wracking, sitting here and waiting and listening. I'm so happy and proud of our team for fighting for every game."

"They were on pins and needles," added VanDeusen. "It was great to see that emotion out of them. They've worked really hard to get here and it's great when goals pay off."

The selection is especially gratifying for sweeper Mallory Milburn, the team's lone senior. Three years ago, during her freshman season, Nebraska-Omaha put a 10-0 pasting on the Jennies.

"We just kept on believing in everything Coach was saying and believing in all the new players who came in," she said, trying to fight back tears of joy. "Each year, we've gotten better and this year, it's all come together finally. I'm just so happy that it's happened my senior year."

With the soccer team's selection, the Central Missouri athletic program as a whole can claim a rare distinction.

"That's one program that had never made the national tournament and now, it has," UCM Director of Athletics Jerry Hughes said. "Now, every program we sponsor has made the national tournament. There aren't very many schools that can say that."

Now, the focus will shift, from being happy to be in the tournament, to preparing for the undefeated (18-0-1) defending national champions.

"It's a new season and the number of goals we've scored, and saves and assists, wins and losses, that doesn't mean anything now," VanDeusen said. "Everybody's 0-0, so we're going to give them a game."

"I think we're still in shock right now," Schmitt added. "Tonight, we'll be excited, but then tomorrow, practice will be tough, but that's to be expected. Once we get to practice, we know it's time to get ready to beat UNO."

Central Missouri will face Nebraska-Omaha in the first round at 2 p.m. Friday in Omaha. The other semfinal matchup pits MIAA rivals Missouri Southern and Washburn.

Tournament Bracket