Prior to this, both teams would top their respective groups with Texas Tech defeating Salt Lake CC 1–0 in their opener followed by a 2-2 tie with Georgia and a 6–0 win over Clemson in their finale.
Meanwhile, BYU defeated Baylor 3-1 in a rematch of the 1996 finals, 1994 champions Purdue 4-1, and hosts Georgia Southern 5-0.
Freshman, Brandon LeRoy, of BYU would be named the tournament's MVP after scoring five of the team's 23 goals while John Morris of BYU would be named the tournament's best goalkeeper after only conceding twice, with both goals being in the group stage.
[2][3][4][5][6] In the finals, reigning runners-up and undefeated Penn State would face 1995 champions, Colorado.
In the game, Colorado State would open the scoring in the 15th minute and would carry the 1–0 lead into the break.
Penn State would equalize in the 60th minute on penalty kick goal from Liz Villamil.
A goal at the end of the first period of overtime from Penn State's Ruth Uselton would give them their first lead of the match.
This would prove to be the lone goal of the match, giving JMU their first loss of the season and sending Penn State to their second straight finals.
In this rematch, LSU would this time be victorious after scoring the lone goal of the match en route to a 1–0 win over Virginia and would claim their first open title.
Both teams would end up topping their respective groups, meaning they automatically advanced to the semifinals.
In the finals, the game would be deadlocked at 1-1 after regulation and overtime, meaning penalties would be required to determine a winner joining the current year's women's championship division in being the first championship games requiring penalties.
Knockout stage games needed to declare a winner, meaning if one was tied at the end of regulation, overtime would begin.