Round one of the 2024 NCAA men’s soccer tournament is finished, with two Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) teams remaining in the competition.
ROUND ONE RESULTS:
Evansville unable to manage upset at Massachusetts:
The defending 2024 MVC Tournament champions Evansville took on Massachusetts in round one of the NCAA postseason tournament, their first appearance in 28 years.
The Massachusetts Minutemen hit the first four shots of the match, converting in the 21 minute.
Although Evansville became a stronger offensive threat in the second half, UMass would strike again in the 60’, doubling their lead.
The Aces kept the pressure high, forcing an own goal by the minutemen in the 71’. Although they fired four shots in the final four minutes, the Aces couldn’t find an equalizer.
Evansville ended the season with the program’s most wins since 2017, the best winning percentage since 2009, and the most goals since 2007.
Western Michigan dominates SIUE through snowy conditions:
Western Michigan hosted Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) on Thursday, battling on a snow-covered pitch.
Graduate midfielder Owen Smith struck first, scoring less than three minutes into the match.
Redshirt freshman defender Christian Shannon and graduate defender Duarte Chapelas added a goal each, while graduate forward Greyson Mercer tacked on a brace in the win.
SIUE found a goal of their own on a penalty kick, finalizing their scoring on the night.
ROUND TWO MATCHUPS:
Western Michigan at #1 Ohio State:
Western Michigan takes on No. 1 seed Ohio State on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Ohio State narrowly defeated Michigan in the Big Ten championship match, scoring in the 73’.
After being ranked No. 1 in the final three weeks of the men’s soccer season, Ohio State earned the #1 seed in the tournament and a first-round bye.
Western Michigan will be Ohio State’s first tournament opponent, looking to hand the Buckeyes their second loss of the season.
The two sides are tied in the all-time series at 1-1-2 but haven’t met since 1990.
No. 15 Missouri State vs Kansas City:
15-seed Missouri State will host Kansas City in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday at 7:30 pm.
The Bears will be hosting their fourth NCAA postseason game in the last six years, earning their second-ever first-round bye.
Kansas City faced Saint Louis in the first round, defeating them 2-0. This marked the Roos’ second-ever NCAA tournament win, the first coming in 2001.
Kansas City and Missouri met earlier this season in an intense matchup when the Bears won 3-2.
In the all-time series, the Bears lead 24-5-2 overall and 14-2-1 at home.
