NCAA Soccer Tournament
NCAA Soccer Quarterfinals Feature Top-Shelf Talent
Saturday's showdown between perennial power North Carolina and No. 2 seed UCLA is just one of four tasty matchups this weekend as college soccer's elite eight compete for the College Cup.
THERE ARE JUST SEVEN GAMES left in the 2014 college soccer season and four will be played this weekend as the NCAA Tournament resumes with its quarterfinals. Berths in the College Cup, college soccer’s Final Four, are on the line in each contest.
All matches are available to watch online, either through the NCAA’s website or via the teams' athletic departments. Here’s a look at the four matchups and a few key storylines (all times Eastern).
Cinderella continues her post-season dancing in the form of UMBC, which added ACC runner-up Louisville to the list of perennial powers it has upset in the NCAA Tournament this year. Last year UMBC went 16-1-3 and was eliminated by Connecticut on penalty kicks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. This year the Retrievers are unbeaten in nine straight and have yet to allow a goal in three tournament. The team is playing with no fear despite its unheralded status. “We don’t see what we’re doing as a surprise,” said UMBC coach Pete Caringi. “We were good last year and got unlucky on PKs and we came into the tournament (this year) playing well.” Without much fanfare, Creighton has emerged as one of the more consistently elite programs in college soccer under Elmar Bolowich, who took over the Blue Jays in 2010. A win Saturday would mark its third trip to the College Cup in four years. Like UMBC, Creighton has used a smothering defense to get this far. In wins over Oregon State (1-0) and Xavier (2-1) Creighton has done just enough, limiting opponent to just five shots on goal, combined. PROSPECTS TO WATCH: For UMBC, Mamadou Kansaye gets lost in All-American Oumar Ballo’s shadow but he’s a legit prospect in his own right. He’s got good pace, is comfortable running at players, and is a good creator (19 assists the past three seasons). If Creighton’s Fabian Herbers were a couple years younger MLS scouts would be drooling over him. But at 21 he’s a little older for a sophomore so it tempers the evaluation of the Big East player of the Year a bit. That said, he has shown enough skill and production (10 goals, eight assists) to earn a close look from MLS teams.
The Cavaliers upset top-seeded and defending champion Notre Dame and now look to return the College Cup for the second straight year. The Cavaliers won without All-American midfielder Eric Bird, who missed the second round game with a groin injury. No word yet on his availability for Saturday but he would be a big loss for Virginia. The Hoyas, meanwhile, have used a similar formula in both of its tournament wins: The team went down a goal, scored a late equalizer, and prevailed in overtime. It’s a dangerous way to win and it may not work against a veteran team like Virginia. “We never doubt ourselves,” said All-American defender Joshua Yaro. “Even when we go down we know we can keep fighting and come back and win. This team has great confidence in itself.” Target forward Brandon Allen, the Hoyas leading scorer, struggled with Syracuse’s athletic center back Skylar Thomas Sunday and he’ll see a similar, if less experienced, version of that this week in Cavalier redshirt freshman Wesley Suggs. PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Georgetown's senior midfielder/defender Tyler Rudy plays on the right flank and assisted on three of his team’s four goals in the NCAA Tournament, including both Sunday. Keep an eye on Virginia's junior forward Darius Madison, too. A candidate for a homegrown contract from the Philadelphia Union, Madison was All-ACC as sophomore but has battled injuries most of the season. He has the skill and speed to give the Hoyas fits.
The Friars had never been to the Sweet 16 before this season so making it to the quarterfinals is an accomplishment in its own right. Providence has become the strongest program in New England in part by combining a core of solid local players with a handful of talented internationals. After a mediocre start to the season, the Friars have gone 12-2-2, including seven one-goal wins. Michigan State is looking to go to the Final Four for the first time since the 1960s, when it was one of the original powers in college soccer. The Spartans went to the Final Four six times between 1983-69 and won a pair of co-NCAA titles (that was a thing back then). The Spartans are big and tough to score against. “They play smart and don’t make a lot of mistakes and are big,” said Washington coach Jamie Clark, whose team squandered a two-goal lead against MSU last week then fell in penalty kicks. “You feel like you’re outplaying them then at the end of the game you look at the score and say, ‘How are we not winning?’” PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Mac Steeves, a six-foot-three sophomore for Providence, is cut from the Will Bruin-Conor Casey cloth. Steeves wasn’t highly recruited out of high school but has blossomed in Rhode Island, scoring nine goals while showing, MLS coaches tell ASN, surprising mobility for his size. Junior Jay Chapman is Michigan State’s engine. The Toronto FC product is one of the best midfielders in college soccer and rival Big Ten coaches are hoping TFC swoops in and signs him this winter.
The Tar Heels were positioned for a seed, and the first round bye that comes with it, for most of the season. But then a few late stumbles saw the team drop into the unseeded ranks and into the first round. But after dominating James Madison 6-0 UNC has gone on the road and beaten seeded teams in Charlotte and Clemson. On paper those results were upsets but given the Tar Heels' talent level neither result was particularly surprising. In UCLA, however, North Carolina will face a team with just as much, if not more, talent. And the Bruins have already beaten the Tar Heels this season—a 1-0 result in Chapel Hill in September. UCLA’s offense has produced five goals in wins over San Diego and California but its defense has looked leaky—especially against Cal. North Carolina’s offense is second only to Cal’s and its defense is much more stout, meaning the Bruins likely won’t have the same room for error Saturday that it had in the last round. PROSPECTS TO WATCH: UNC senior Boyd Okwuonu has been one of the top defenders in college soccer for four seasons and was the ACC’s defensive player of the year as a junior as well as a member of the U.S. under-20 team last cycle. Like Los Angeles Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza, he is an undersized center back whose limited athleticism leads to questions about his ability to play fullback. FC Dallas owns his homegrown rights and will have to decide if he is a convention-defying asset or just a good college player without much of a pro future. For UCLA, sophomore Michael Amick has the eye of every MLS coach who has seen him play. A member of the U.S. under-20 national team pool, Amick is smart and clean on the ball and reads the game as well as many pro defenders. He’s one of the top underclassmen in the country not affiliated with an MLS academy and is a logical candidate for a Generation Adidas contract. Brooke Tunstall is an American Soccer Now contributing editor and ASN 100 panelist. You really should follow him on Twitter.
Maryland-Baltimore at No. 9 seed Creighton
8pm FridayCinderella continues her post-season dancing in the form of UMBC, which added ACC runner-up Louisville to the list of perennial powers it has upset in the NCAA Tournament this year. Last year UMBC went 16-1-3 and was eliminated by Connecticut on penalty kicks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. This year the Retrievers are unbeaten in nine straight and have yet to allow a goal in three tournament. The team is playing with no fear despite its unheralded status. “We don’t see what we’re doing as a surprise,” said UMBC coach Pete Caringi. “We were good last year and got unlucky on PKs and we came into the tournament (this year) playing well.” Without much fanfare, Creighton has emerged as one of the more consistently elite programs in college soccer under Elmar Bolowich, who took over the Blue Jays in 2010. A win Saturday would mark its third trip to the College Cup in four years. Like UMBC, Creighton has used a smothering defense to get this far. In wins over Oregon State (1-0) and Xavier (2-1) Creighton has done just enough, limiting opponent to just five shots on goal, combined. PROSPECTS TO WATCH: For UMBC, Mamadou Kansaye gets lost in All-American Oumar Ballo’s shadow but he’s a legit prospect in his own right. He’s got good pace, is comfortable running at players, and is a good creator (19 assists the past three seasons). If Creighton’s Fabian Herbers were a couple years younger MLS scouts would be drooling over him. But at 21 he’s a little older for a sophomore so it tempers the evaluation of the Big East player of the Year a bit. That said, he has shown enough skill and production (10 goals, eight assists) to earn a close look from MLS teams.
No. 16 Virginia at No. 8 Georgetown
1pm SaturdayThe Cavaliers upset top-seeded and defending champion Notre Dame and now look to return the College Cup for the second straight year. The Cavaliers won without All-American midfielder Eric Bird, who missed the second round game with a groin injury. No word yet on his availability for Saturday but he would be a big loss for Virginia. The Hoyas, meanwhile, have used a similar formula in both of its tournament wins: The team went down a goal, scored a late equalizer, and prevailed in overtime. It’s a dangerous way to win and it may not work against a veteran team like Virginia. “We never doubt ourselves,” said All-American defender Joshua Yaro. “Even when we go down we know we can keep fighting and come back and win. This team has great confidence in itself.” Target forward Brandon Allen, the Hoyas leading scorer, struggled with Syracuse’s athletic center back Skylar Thomas Sunday and he’ll see a similar, if less experienced, version of that this week in Cavalier redshirt freshman Wesley Suggs. PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Georgetown's senior midfielder/defender Tyler Rudy plays on the right flank and assisted on three of his team’s four goals in the NCAA Tournament, including both Sunday. Keep an eye on Virginia's junior forward Darius Madison, too. A candidate for a homegrown contract from the Philadelphia Union, Madison was All-ACC as sophomore but has battled injuries most of the season. He has the skill and speed to give the Hoyas fits.
No. 11 Providence at No. 3 Michigan State
12pm FridayThe Friars had never been to the Sweet 16 before this season so making it to the quarterfinals is an accomplishment in its own right. Providence has become the strongest program in New England in part by combining a core of solid local players with a handful of talented internationals. After a mediocre start to the season, the Friars have gone 12-2-2, including seven one-goal wins. Michigan State is looking to go to the Final Four for the first time since the 1960s, when it was one of the original powers in college soccer. The Spartans went to the Final Four six times between 1983-69 and won a pair of co-NCAA titles (that was a thing back then). The Spartans are big and tough to score against. “They play smart and don’t make a lot of mistakes and are big,” said Washington coach Jamie Clark, whose team squandered a two-goal lead against MSU last week then fell in penalty kicks. “You feel like you’re outplaying them then at the end of the game you look at the score and say, ‘How are we not winning?’” PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Mac Steeves, a six-foot-three sophomore for Providence, is cut from the Will Bruin-Conor Casey cloth. Steeves wasn’t highly recruited out of high school but has blossomed in Rhode Island, scoring nine goals while showing, MLS coaches tell ASN, surprising mobility for his size. Junior Jay Chapman is Michigan State’s engine. The Toronto FC product is one of the best midfielders in college soccer and rival Big Ten coaches are hoping TFC swoops in and signs him this winter.
North Carolina at No. 2 UCLA
8pm SaturdayThe Tar Heels were positioned for a seed, and the first round bye that comes with it, for most of the season. But then a few late stumbles saw the team drop into the unseeded ranks and into the first round. But after dominating James Madison 6-0 UNC has gone on the road and beaten seeded teams in Charlotte and Clemson. On paper those results were upsets but given the Tar Heels' talent level neither result was particularly surprising. In UCLA, however, North Carolina will face a team with just as much, if not more, talent. And the Bruins have already beaten the Tar Heels this season—a 1-0 result in Chapel Hill in September. UCLA’s offense has produced five goals in wins over San Diego and California but its defense has looked leaky—especially against Cal. North Carolina’s offense is second only to Cal’s and its defense is much more stout, meaning the Bruins likely won’t have the same room for error Saturday that it had in the last round. PROSPECTS TO WATCH: UNC senior Boyd Okwuonu has been one of the top defenders in college soccer for four seasons and was the ACC’s defensive player of the year as a junior as well as a member of the U.S. under-20 team last cycle. Like Los Angeles Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza, he is an undersized center back whose limited athleticism leads to questions about his ability to play fullback. FC Dallas owns his homegrown rights and will have to decide if he is a convention-defying asset or just a good college player without much of a pro future. For UCLA, sophomore Michael Amick has the eye of every MLS coach who has seen him play. A member of the U.S. under-20 national team pool, Amick is smart and clean on the ball and reads the game as well as many pro defenders. He’s one of the top underclassmen in the country not affiliated with an MLS academy and is a logical candidate for a Generation Adidas contract. Brooke Tunstall is an American Soccer Now contributing editor and ASN 100 panelist. You really should follow him on Twitter.
