LINCOLN MEMORIAL-MONTEVALLO
Montevallo (18-3-2) has had its best season in school history, while Lincoln Memorial (19-3-1) knocked off No. 1 Northern Kentucky in the quarterfinals.
HISTORY. Lincoln Memorial and Montevallo are former Gulf South Conference rivals. Montevallo holds a 12-3-1 edge in their series that ended when MLU left for the South Atlantic Conference in 2006.
BACKGROUND. It's a study in contrasts -- Lincoln Memorial started eight Brazilians, two Americans and one Scot in its quarterfinal win, while Montevallo started five Englishmen, three Americans, two Brazilians and one Canadian in its last game.
STARS. Montevallo is led two-time GSC Player of the Year Jonathan Maloney. For LMU's Railsplitters, Leandro Pereira has 23 goals.
MIDWESTERN STATE-FRANKLIN PIERCE
Midwestern State (18-3-1) and Franklin Pierce (16-2-3) both have come close but are still looking for their first national title.
HISTORY. Midwestern State finished second at the NAIA nationals four times before moving to the NCAA in 1997. Franklin Pierce has made the D2 semifinals three times.
BACKGROUND. FPU should start players from nine difference countries. Among its players is Dominica international Bishara Etienne. The Mustangs rely heavily on players from across the Southwest -- Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma -- with an emphasis on transfers, four of whom should start.
STARS. Daniel Brown leads Midwestern with 24 goals. Franklin Pierce is led by senior David Clifton (24 goals) and sophomore Henning Come (16).
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