The NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Committee unveiled the 48-team championship bracket Monday, with defending national champion Vermont earning the tournament's top seed and three programs making their first-ever postseason appearances.
The Catamounts (14-0-5) claimed the No. 1 seed after posting the nation's only undefeated record while sweeping the America East regular season and tournament titles. Their .868 winning percentage trails only one other team nationally.
Seven-time champion Virginia (12-2-4) secured the No. 2 seed, followed by Princeton (15-1-2) at No. 3 and four-time winner Maryland (12-1-3) at No. 4. The Tigers are seeking their first national championship in program history.
Historic Appearances
Saint Louis will make a record-extending 52nd tournament appearance, while both Indiana and UCLA reach the half-century mark in postseason play. The Hoosiers extended their remarkable streak to 39 consecutive tournament berths, the longest active run in Division I.
Three programs will experience championship soccer for the first time. American Conference champion Florida Atlantic (12-3-2), Ohio Valley Conference winner Lindenwood (14-2-4) – competing in its first season as a full Division I member – and Metro Atlantic champion Siena (9-5-4) all earned their inaugural tournament bids.
The Seeded 16
The top 16 seeds received first-round byes and will host second-round matches:
1. Vermont – Defending champions with nation's only unbeaten record
2. Virginia – Seven-time national champions
3. Princeton – Ivy League champions seeking first title
4. Maryland – Four-time champions from the Big Ten
5. SMU – ACC champions
6. Indiana – Extending 39-year tournament streak
7. Georgetown – Big East champions
8. Portland – West Coast power
9. San Diego – WCC champions
10. High Point – Big South champions
11. Bryant – At-large selection
12. Stanford – Pac-12 contenders
13. UConn – Big East at-large
14. Akron – Mid-American at-large
15. NC State – ACC at-large
16. Furman – Southern Conference champions
First-Round Matchups to Watch
Several intriguing first-round contests highlight Thursday's schedule:
Syracuse vs. Hofstra – Two New York programs battle for the right to face top-seeded Vermont
Clemson vs. Western Michigan – ACC vs. MAC clash
UCLA vs. Grand Canyon – 50th tournament appearance for the Bruins against the WAC champions
North Carolina vs. North Florida – Tar Heels face ASUN champions
Michigan vs. Notre Dame – Big Ten rivalry renewed in tournament play
Seton Hall vs. Siena – Tournament debutant Siena faces Big East opponent
Kansas City vs. Lindenwood – First-time participant Lindenwood opens against Summit League foe
UCF vs. Florida Atlantic – In-state battle featuring another tournament newcomer
Tournament Schedule
First-round matches kick off Thursday, November 20, at campus sites nationwide. Second-round action follows Sunday, November 23, with the top 16 seeds hosting.
The third round is scheduled for November 29-30, with quarterfinals December 5-6.
The College Cup semifinals and championship match will be played December 12 and 15 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. ESPNU will provide live coverage of both matches as the venue hosts the event for the tenth time.
Conference Breakdown
The field includes automatic qualifiers from 22 conferences and 26 at-large selections. The ACC led all conferences with seven teams in the field, followed by the Big Ten with four.