The Illini soccer team is heading to Texas.

The team is scheduled to play Rice in College Station, Texas, on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Members of the soccer team crowded into the women’s basketball locker room on Monday at the Ubben Basketball Complex to watch the selection show on ESPN News. When the team’s seed was announced, the team applauded.

“We’re excited,” said senior goalkeeper Leisha Alcia. “Going to Texas is what we’re excited about.”

The Illini are paired in the same bracket as the host team, ninth-seeded Texas A&M; and Texas State. If the Illini get by Rice, they would play the winner of that game on Sunday.

The selection committee chooses 64 teams to compete in the national tournament. Of those 64 teams, 16 are given seeds and the opportunity to host the first two rounds.

North Carolina was given the top seed in the tournament, with Illinois’ conference foe Penn State receiving the No. 2 seed. Sixth-seeded Ohio State, who won the Big Ten tournament, Michigan and Wisconsin rounded out the teams selected from the Big Ten.

Illinois head coach Janet Rayfield said she was happy with the team’s pairing.

“I’m happy we’re on the board,” Rayfield said. “It is going to be a great tournament. Texas A&M; and Rice are great teams. We’re just going to go out and do what we can.”

Senior forward Tara Hurless was disappointed that the Illini were not selected as one of the 16 seeded teams.

“When we came on the board, I was surprised,” Hurless said. “I knew we were going to get in, but I thought we were going to host. I wanted to play at home in front of our fan base.”

Rayfield said although she believes the Illini are among the top 16, they did not have a season indicative of being seeded.

“We knew we were not going to be seeded as one of the top 16 teams,” Rayfield said. “We figured we’d have to travel. We’re just happy to be in – you never know for sure until they announce your name.”

As of right now, the Illini do not know much about Friday’s opponent – Rice.

“We don’t have anything at this point,” Rayfield said. “I’m sure there are some tapes out there. Until Friday, we are going to do what we can do to learn about them.”

Before the team headed outside for practice, Rayfield reminded her players to leave their sweats on to prepare for the warm weather in Texas.

“It’ll be nice,” Rayfield said. “It’ll be fun for them to play in their short sleeves.”