College Soccer Preview: Road to Birmingham begins Runners-up Louisville bring guns back, but UCLA, Akron will push School is back in session. The abbreviated college soccer preseason is nearly over, and this coming weekend, the start of a long road that begins, one that will end with the College Cup in Birmingham, Ala., in December. Many of last season’s heroes are now enduring the long season of MLS, and another talented group of players will look to step up and fill in the gaps to players lost to graduation. Each program deals with a varying amount of departing talent, and how each copes with it will determine success over the next few months. Here’s a look at some of the teams to look out for this year: MLSsoccer.com's Preseason Top 20 1. UCLA 2. Akron 3. Louisville 4. North Carolina 5. SMU 6. Notre Dame 7. Creighton 8. Connecticut 9. Maryland 10. UC Santa Barbara 11. Michigan 12. Virginia 13. Indiana 14. Princeton 15. Duke 16. Boston College 17. Penn State 18. California 19. Brown 20. William & Mary http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/22/college-soccer-preview-road-birmingham-begins
Re: College Soccer Preview: Road to Birmingham begins College Soccer Preview: Ex-MLSers turned head coaches League originals like Salcedo, Yeagley keeping programs strong MLS and college soccer have been intertwined since the league’s inception in 1996. Thousands of players have navigated the path successfully from college to MLS, with many going on to enjoy lengthy careers and win numerous trophies as professional. A handful of those collegiate stars, after stints of varying length and impact in MLS, have jumped into the coaching ranks via one route or another. With the college season starting this weekend, here’s a look at some former MLS players currently in charge of college programs across the country http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...-soccer-preview-ex-mlsers-turned-head-coaches
Re: College Soccer Preview: Road to Birmingham begins College Soccer Preview: Eight seniors to watch in 2011 Lousville star Rolfe highlights the list as opening day looms opening of the men’s college soccer season on Friday gives fans the first chance to get a glimpse of some of the players who could be suiting up in MLS next year. Here’s a look at eight seniors who will be in the mix during next January’s SuperDraft: Ethan Finlay (F), Creighton One of the top seniors in this year’s class, a minor injury has limited Finlay during the preseason. An out-and-out goalscorer with good pace, with another strong season the Wisconsin native is going to be a hot commodity in January. Austin Berry (D), Louisville A commanding physical presence on the back line, Berry is a central defender who looks like he could be very capable in MLS. Has the size and athleticism to provide a danger on set pieces as well. Tony Cascio (M/F), Connecticut Fresh off a strong season a year ago (10 goals and six assists), Cascio will look to lead the Huskies to postseason success in the final year. A product of Real Salt Lake’s Arizona Academy, Cascio is eligible to be a Home Grown signing. Luke Holmes (M), Akron A transfer from NAIA program Notre Dame College, Holmes will get an abbreviated year to showcase his skills under Caleb Porter in Akron. The native of Oldham, England, is a creative attacking midfielder who scored goals in bunches at the lower level of college. Colin Rolfe (F), Louisville The prolific striker (pictured above) took a step forward his junior season, refining his game to become a more all-around player. With good size and decent speed, a strong senior season could push him into SuperDraft first-round consideration next year. Matt Hedges (D), North Carolina Hedges enjoyed a breakout season last fall at Butler, and took advantage of thinning ranks to make the step up to UNC for the fall season. He has good size (6-foot-4, 185 pounds) and the tools to make an impact in MLS next year. Eder Arreola (M/F), UCLA The versatile attacker played his way onto the US Under-20 qualifying team earlier this year. He scored four goals and had seven assists last year, and had a trial this summer with clubs in Mexico — a possible destination after his senior year. Brian Ownby (F), Virginia A former US Under-20 international who scored at the U-20 World Cup in 2009, Ownby has battled through two injury-plagued seasons since. He’ll look to put those problems behind him and showcase his goal scoring and speed this fall. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/25/college-soccer-preview-eight-seniors-watch-2011
Re: College Soccer Preview: Road to Birmingham begins College: No Bruin, no problem for streaking Indiana Despite loss of leading scorer, Hoosiers' tight D has them unbeaten http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/09/29/college-no-bruin-no-problem-streaking-indiana College: Townsend's decision to stay with Terps pays off Forward has eight goals in eight games for undefeated Maryland http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/09/22/college-townsends-decision-stay-terps-pays College Roundup: Huskies take top spot Win over St. John's boosts UConn, while UCLA stumble again http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/09/27/college-roundup-huskies-take-top-spot
Re: College Soccer 2011 College Roundup: UConn stay perfect with win over L'ville Maryland take down Creighton, while UNC-Duke ends in draw The weekend’s glamor matchup featured a battle between two of the top three teams in the nation. Maryland hosted Creighton, as the prolific, high-flying Terrapins offense met a Bluejays defense that hadn’t conceded a goal all year prior to the game. Something had to give, and it was senior Casey Townsend stepping up for the Terps, grabbing the game’s only goal – his 11th on the season – in the 14th minute for a close 1-0 win for the home side. Next up for Maryland is a Tuesday test against Rutgers before a Friday trip to rivals Virginia. Rank School Record Rank Last Week 1 Connecticut 10-0-0 2 Maryland 10-0-1 3 Akron 7-0-2 4 North Carolina 8-1-1 5 Creighton 8-1-0 6 Central Florida 8-1-1 7 New Mexico 7-0-2 8 Indiana 6-1-2 9 UC Irvine 9-2-0 10 St. John's 7-2-1 11 Louisville 6-3-0 12 Georgetown 6-1-3 13 UCLA 7-3-1 14 Notre Dame 5-2-2 15 UC Santa Barbara 6-3-1 16 Boston College 7-3-0 17 South Florida 5-2-2 18 Charlotte 7-2-0 19 Furman 8-2-2 20 San Diego State 7-1-2 http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/10/04/college-roundup-uconn-stay-perfect-win-over-lville
Re: Collegiate Soccer 2011 NCAA Top 20 Rankings: Tourney season under way L'ville's rebound continues; UNM finish undefeated regular season It’s college soccer’s most wonderful time of the year – tournament season. And in the Big East, it’s already well under way Rank School Record Last Week 1 New Mexico 16-0-2 1 1 2 North Carolina 14-2-2 2 3 Creighton 16-2-0 3 4 Connecticut 16-2-2 6 5 Maryland 13-2-3 5 6 South Florida 12-3-3 4 7 UCLA 14-4-1 8 8 Akron 13-3-3 7 9 Indiana 11-3-4 11 10 Louisville 12-5-2 16 11 Charlotte 13-3-2 14 12 Furman 14-2-4 13 13 UC Santa Barbara 13-5-1 15 14 Boston College 12-5-0 9 15 UC Irvine 14-5-1 NR 16 James Madison 12-4-1 12 17 Coastal Carolina 16-2-0 20 18 SMU 10-6-1 NR 19 Old Dominion 11-4-119 20 Duke 10-6-2 NR http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/08/ncaa-top-20-rankings-tourney-season-under-way
Re: Collegiate Soccer 2011 College Roundup: Tar Heels stroll into ACC tourney semis Tar Heels to take on Virginia; Boston College stun Maryland Rounding out the semifinal field is Duke, who advanced on penalty kicks after a scoreless draw against Clemson. Action resumes on Friday with the semifinals in Cary, N.C. UNC face Virginia, while Boston College take on Duke in the ACC Championship semifinals. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/09/college-roundup-tar-heels-stroll-acc-tourney-semis
Re: Collegiate Soccer 2011 Big East Championship: Semifinals Set Louisville, Connecticut, Villanova and St. John's will play Friday at Red Bull Arena The semifinal field has been set for the 2011 BIG EAST men’s soccer championship, which will be held at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. for the second-straight year. In a matchup at 5 p.m. on Nov. 11, Louisville will play Connecticut. In the second match of the day, Villanova will face off against St. John’s. The final is scheduled for Nov. 13 at noon. All three games will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The winner of the BIG EAST Championship receives the league’s automatic bid to the 48-team NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship. The 2011 NCAA Championship marks the 53rd anniversary of the tournament. First, second and third round games, as well as the quarterfinals, are held on the campuses of participating institutions in a single-elimination format. This year’s College Cup - national semifinals and championship games - will be hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Alabama Sports Foundation. It will be held at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala., on December 9 and 11. Last season, the BIG EAST had seven teams earned spots in the NCAA Championship, with Louisville advancing to the national final. The BIG EAST has two national titles, St. John’s in 1996 and UConn in 2000. http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2011/11/big-east-championship-semifinals-set
Re: Collegiate Soccer 2011 St. John's Defeats Connecticut to Claim Champion's Cup St. John's midfielder Jack Bennett scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over UConn WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.bigeast.org/BIGEASTTV/On...0-Highlights-Courtesy-CBS-Sports-Network.aspx http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news...johns-defeats-connecticut-claim-champions-cup
Re: Collegiate Soccer 2011 Field of 48 set as NCAA Tourney prepares to kick off Akron sights on repeat; UNC take top seed; Action starts Thursday All first round games will be played on November 17. The second and third-round matches will take place on November 20 and November 27. The eight teams remaining in the quarterfinals will go head to head between December 2 and 4. The 2011 College Cup will take place at Regions Field – the home of UAB – in Hoover, Ala., with the semifinals contested on December 9 and the final taking place two days later on December 11. The first round is highlighted by a matchup between Akron and Big Ten champs Northwestern, who head to Ohio in hopes of ending the defending-champion Zips’ title defense early. South Carolina will welcome historic power Wake Forest to Columbia, S.C., in another high-profile match. Other notable games include Virginia, which is two-years removed from a national title, hosting Delaware, first-time participants CSU Bakersfield and 18-goal scorer Gyasi Zardes welcoming St. Mary’s, and an in-state battle pitting Florida Gulf Coast against Central Florida. The semifinal and final matches will be broadcast live on ESPNU. All times listed below are local. Matches are hosted by the top seed until the semifinal and final. Region 1 Elon at Coastal Carolina, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (1) UNC Liberty at Old Dominion, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (16) Indiana Fairfield at Brown, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (9) St. Johns St. Mary’s (CA) at CSU Bakersfield, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (8) UC Irvine Region 2 Xavier at West Virginia, Thursday 11/17, 5:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (5) Maryland Loyola Chicago at Bradley, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (12) Louisville Delaware at Virginia, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (13) UCLA Colgate at Rutgers, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (4) Boston College Region 3 Stony Brook at Monmouth, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (3) Connecticut Wake Forest at South Carolina, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (14) James Madison Furman at Charlotte, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (11) UAB Northwestern at Akron, Thursday 11/17, 7:30 p.m. • Winner plays at (6) SMU Region 4 Florida Gulf Coast at UCF, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (7) South Florida Georgia State at Duke, Thursday 11/17, 7:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (10) New Mexico Dartmouth at Providence, Thursday 11/17, 2:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (15) UC Santa Barbara Western Illinois at Northern Illinois, Thursday 11/17, 1:00 p.m. • Winner plays at (2) Creighton http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/14/field-48-set-ncaa-tourney-prepares-kick
Re: Collegiate Soccer 2011 NCAA: North Carolina, UCLA advance to College Cup UNC power past St. Mary's 2-0; UCLA get revenge at Louisville UNC 2, St. Mary's 0 Senior Matt Hedges finally cracked a tough St. Mary’s defense in the 52nd minute. The big defender rose to head home a corner kick, cueing the Tar Heels victory following a first half of frustration for the ACC powerhouse. Louisville 0, UCLA 1 The Bruins progressed to the semifinals thanks to a 1-0 overtime win over Louisville. Reed Williams scored in the 102nd minute, just 1:31 into the second overtime period, to put an end to the Cardinals’ season. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/03/ncaa-north-carolina-ucla-advance-college-cup
Re: Collegiate Soccer 2011 NCAA: Creighton, Charlotte round out College Cup field 49ers down Huskies in PKs; Finlay's goal sees Bluejays through UConn 1, UNC Charlotte 1 (Charlotte wins 4-2 on PKs) Once again it was the agony of penalty kicks sending the Connecticut Huskies packing from the NCAA tournament. The Huskies missed twice from the spot, as the No. 3 seed - heavy favorites to advance to the College Cup for the first time since 2000 - were upset on their home field. Creighton 1, South Florida 0 Senior forward Ethan Finlay’s 97th minute strike in the first overtime period broke a scoreless stalemate and clinched Creighton’s spot in the College Cup with a 1-0 win over South Florida. The game, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, was bumped to Sunday thanks to a heavy snowfall in Omaha. With the cleared field, the Bulls looked to find a way to crack Creighton, who boast the nation’s best defense. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...eighton-charlotte-round-out-college-cup-field
Re: Collegiate Soccer 2011 Carolina Connection 49ers and Tar Heels move on to title game via shootout victories The College Cup final will be an all-North Carolina affair. North Carolina will face UNC Charlotte on Sunday with the national title on the line after both advanced to the final game thanks to penalty-kick triumphs on Friday night. Unseeded Charlotte advanced thanks to a 4-1 victory on PKs over heavily Creighton in the evening's first game in Hoover, Ala. Charlotte substitute goalkeeper Brian Dawson came in to save Kris Clark's penalty, and star Bluejays forward Ethan Finlay missed his spot kick as the 49ers triumphed. Neither team’s stout defense yielded an inch after 110 minutes, meaning penalties were necessary following a 0-0 deadlock, setting up Charlotte’s four-for-four performance from the spot. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/09/college-cup-charlotte-stuns-creighton-unc-tops-ucla
Re: Collegiate Soccer 2011 Magical Moment Speas' dipping strike the difference as Tar Heels outlast Charlotte Turns out the fourth time is the charm for North Carolina. In their fourth straight College Cup appearance, the Tar Heels finally won the national title thanks to a 65th-minute wonder goal off the foot of Ben Speas, holding off a late flurry from UNC Charlotte to win 1-0. Speas’ tally came in the face of tremendous Charlotte pressure in the second half. Racing in from the right wing, he danced past several 49ers defenders and unleashed a shot that looped over ‘keeper Klay Davis, tucking just under the crossbar. The Tar Heels managed to hold on to that lead, weathering a ferocious push by the 49ers in the game’s final five minutes to hang on and raise their first national championship trophy since 2001. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...north-carolina-wins-national-title-fourth-try
Rank School 2011 Record Final 2011 Rank 1 North Carolina 21-2-3 1 2 UCLA 18-4-2 3 3 Creighton 21-2-1 4 4 Connecticut 19-3-3 5 5 South Florida 13-4-4 6 6 New Mexico 18-0-4 8 7 Louisville 14-7-2 7 8 Charlotte 16-5-4 2 9 Maryland 14-4-3 9 10 Akron 15-4-4 11 11 UC Santa Barbara 15-7-1 12 12 Indiana 13-4-5 10 13 UC Irvine 16-6-1 13 14 Boston College 14-6-1 15 15 St. John's 14-7-2 18 16 SMU 13-7-1 19 17 Coastal Carolina 18-4-0 16 18 Saint Mary's (Calif.) 11-7-5 14 19 James Madison 13-5-2 20 20 Northwestern 11-5-5 22 21 UAB 13-5-3 21 22 Brown 12-5-3 17 23 Old Dominion 12-6-2 24 24 Furman 14-4-4 NR 25 Bradley 15-6-2 25 Others receiving votes: Virginia, Rutgers, Duke, Wake Forest, California, Monmouth, West Virginia, UCF, William & Mary, Xavier, Cal State-Bakersfield, Northern Illinois, South Carolina.
First round Thursday, Nov. 15 Cleveland State-Michigan State, 1 p.m. Xavier-Kentucky, 7 p.m. UMBC-Old Dominion, 7 p.m. Fairleigh Dickinson-St. John's, 7 p.m. Niagara-Michigan, 7 p.m. Air Force-Washington, 10 p.m. Lafayette-Virginia, 1:30 p.m. Boston College-Northeastern, 6 p.m. UAB-Charlotte, 7 p.m. Syracuse-Cornell, 7 p.m. FGCU-South Florida, 7 p.m. San Diego-Cal State Northridge, 10 p.m. Western Illinois-Northwestern, 8 p.m. Winthrop-SMU, 8 p.m. Elon-Coastal Carolina, 7 p.m. Brown-Drexel, 4 p.m. Second round Sunday, Nov. 18 No. 1 Notre Dame-TBD, 7 p.m. TBD-No. 16 Indiana, 1 p.m. No. 9, North Carolina-TBD, 5 p.m. TBD-No. 8 Saint Louis, 3 p.m. No. 5 Akron-TBD, 4:30 p.m. TBD-No. 12 Creighton, 6 p.m. No. 13 New Mexico-TBD, 9 p.m. TBD-No. 4 Connecticut, 1 p.m. No. 3 Georgetown-TBD, 1 p.m. TBD-No. 14 VCU, 7 p.m. No. 11 Tulsa-TBD, time TBD TBD-No. 6 UCLA, 8 p.m. No. 7 Marquette-TBD, 6 p.m. TBD-No. 10 Louisville, 7 p.m. No. 15 Wake Forest-TBD, 5 p.m. TBD-No. 2 Maryland, 5 p.m. Third round Sunday, Nov. 25 To be determined. Quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 30 To be determined. Saturday, Dec. 1 To be determined. Sunday, Dec. 2 To be determined. Friday, Dec. 7 (Semifinals) To be determined College Cup (Hoover, Ala.) Sunday, Dec. 9 (Championship game) to be determined.
Second round Sunday, Nov. 18 No. 1 Notre Dame-Michigan ST, 7 p.m. Xavier-No. 16 Indiana, 1 p.m. No. 9, North Carolina-UMBC, 5 p.m. FDU-No. 8 Saint Louis, 3 p.m. No. 5 Akron-Michigan, 4:30 p.m. Washington-No. 12 Creighton, 6 p.m. No. 13 New Mexico-Viriginia, 9 p.m. Northeastern-No. 4 Connecticut, 1 p.m. No. 3 Georgetown-Charlotte, 1 p.m. Syracuse-No. 14 VCU, 7 p.m. No. 11 Tulsa-USF, time TBD San Diego-No. 6 UCLA, 8 p.m. No. 7 Marquette-Northwestern, 6 p.m. Winstrop-No. 10 Louisville, 7 p.m. No. 15 Wake Forest-Coastal Carolina, 5 p.m. Brown-No. 2 Maryland, 5 p.m. Third round Sunday, Nov. 25 To be determined. Quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 30 To be determined. Saturday, Dec. 1 To be determined. Sunday, Dec. 2 To be determined. Friday, Dec. 7 (Semifinals) To be determined College Cup (Hoover, Ala.) Sunday, Dec. 9 (Championship game) to be determined. bracket: http://espn.go.com/ncaa/tournament/bracket/_/id/11/2012-ncaa-men-soccer
Third round Sunday, Nov. 25 No. 1 Notre Dame-No. 16 Indiana, 3 p.m. No. 9, North Carolina-FDU 5 p.m. No. 5 Akron-No. 12 Creighton, 4:30 p.m. No. 13 New Mexico-No. 4 Connecticut, 1 p.m. No. 3 Georgetown-Syracuse, 1 p.m. No. 11 Tulsa-San Diego, 6 p.m. Northwestern-No. 10 Louisville, 7 p.m. Coastal Carolina-No. 2 Maryland, 5 p.m. Quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 30 To be determined. Saturday, Dec. 1 To be determined. Sunday, Dec. 2 To be determined. Friday, Dec. 7 (Semifinals) To be determined College Cup (Hoover, Ala.) Sunday, Dec. 9 (Championship game) to be determined. bracket: http://espn.go.com/ncaa/tournament/bracket/_/id/11/2012-ncaa-men-soccer
Quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 30 Indiana @UNC 6:00pm Saturday, Dec. 1 Georgetown @San Deigo 1:00pm Louisville @Maryland - 5:00pm Sunday, Dec. 2 Creighton @UConn - 1:00pm Friday, Dec. 7 (Semifinals) To be determined College Cup (Hoover, Ala.) Sunday, Dec. 9 (Championship game) to be determined. bracket: http://espn.go.com/ncaa/tournament/bracket/_/id/11/2012-ncaa-men-soccer
Friday, Dec. 7 (Semifinals) Maryland vs. Georgetown (5 pm) Creighton vs. Indiana (7:30 pm) Sunday, Dec. 9 (Championship game) to be determined. bracket: http://espn.go.com/ncaa/tournament/bracket/_/id/11/2012-ncaa-men-soccer
