Every year, soccer programs from around the nation battle for a spot in the 64-team field that comprises the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Tournament. This year, the 29th edition of the women’s tournament commenced on November 11 and will conclude on December 5 in Cary, North Carolina.

The women’s soccer championship progresses like most other NCAA tournaments.  All 64 teams enter single-loss knockout stages until the final four convene in a single site called the College Cup, which this year will be held in Cary, North Carolina, for the fifth time.

To begin the tournament, the 64 teams travel to 16 different sites where the first and second rounds are played. These sites are chosen by the NCAA to reduce travel, with few exceptions.

For example, Wake Forest had to fly to the west to face San Diego at UC Irvine, who also hosted their game against Arizona State.

The third round and quarterfinals are played at the highest seed left, or at a home site chosen by the NCAA if neither team is seeded. Those winners will play in aforementioned College Cup.

In contrast to its male counterpart, the women’s soccer championship has a shorter history, mainly in large part to the NCAA not sanctioning women’s championships until 1982.

However, North Carolina has dominated that history winning the first three national championships and total 20 of the 28. A lack of females programs facilitated UNC domination in the sport but going into the 1990’s and into the new century, the increasing opportunities for women-athletes have allowed other universities to claim its stake in the sport.

Even though the Tar Heels come in as back-to-back defending titlists, with an increase of popularity in the sport, programs like West Virginia, Boston College, and Notre Dame – who have won titles before – enter the 2010 tournament as favorites. Also in the mix are Stanford, last year’s runners-up and the #1 team in the country.

To win a Women’s College Cup is the most coveted honor that a female soccer player aspires for. To win a championship puts one in the same ranks with soccer legends like Mia Hamm, Kristine Lily, and Cindy Parlow.

Who will be this year’s Cinderella? Will the Tar Hells capture an unprecedented 21st title? Will Stanford avenge last year’s loss? Or will a new up and coming team plant its flag among the elite in women’s soccer? Stay tuned to find out.