The semifinals and championship game were played at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, California during December 1996.
[1] North Carolina defeated Notre Dame in the final, 1–0 (in two overtimes), to win their thirteenth national title.
North Carolina returned to the championship after appearing in all thirteen finals prior to 1995.
The tournament's leading scorers, with 5 goals each, were Danielle Fotopoulous from Florida and Amy Van Laacke from Notre Dame.
The tournament field expanded again, increasing from 24 to 32 teams, and for the third time in the previous five years.