Four regional brackets were unveiled Monday as the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Committee announced the 40-team championship field, headlined by top seeds Southern New Hampshire, Palm Beach Atlantic, Fort Hays State and Stanislaus State.
The tournament field consists of 19 automatic conference qualifiers and 21 at-large selections competing through a regional format before converging on Weidner Field in Colorado Springs for the national semifinals and championship.
Northeast Region
Southern New Hampshire earned the top seed in a bracket stacked with Northeast-10 Conference powers. Franklin Pierce claimed the No. 2 seed, while Bentley sits at No. 3.
Thursday's first-round action features Post taking on Bridgeport at 3 p.m., followed by Wilmington (DE) facing Roberts Wesleyan at 6 p.m.
Charleston (WV) grabbed the fourth seed and will host fifth-seeded Adelphi in Saturday's second round. Gannon rounds out the seeded teams at No. 6.
Southeast Region
Palm Beach Atlantic leads a Southeast bracket dominated by Sunshine State programs. Lynn secured the No. 2 seed, Florida Tech sits third, and West Florida claimed the fourth spot.
The region opens Thursday with Flagler meeting Young Harris and Anderson (SC) battling Lincoln Memorial, both at 3 p.m. Fifth-seeded Rollins and sixth-seeded Mississippi College complete the seeded field.
Central Region
Fort Hays State tops the Central Region ahead of Rogers State and Lincoln (MO). Rockhurst earned the No. 4 seed and will host fifth-seeded Maryville (MO) on Saturday.
First-round play begins Wednesday when Cedarville hosts Northern Michigan at 2 p.m. McKendree faces UIndy on Thursday at 4 p.m. Tiffin claimed the sixth seed.
West Region
Stanislaus State grabbed the top seed in the West, followed by Cal State Dominguez Hills and Point Loma. Midwestern State secured the fourth seed.
Thursday brings Western Oregon against Hawaii Hilo and Cal State LA versus UCCS, both scheduled for 6 p.m. Seattle Pacific earned the No. 5 seed, with Cal State San Bernardino at No. 6.
Road to Colorado Springs
The top six regional seeds received byes into the second or third rounds. Seeds seven through 10 open play in first-round matches Wednesday and Thursday, with winners advancing to face the top-seeded teams.
Second-round action continues Friday and Saturday, followed by third-round matches and quarterfinals on Saturday. Regional champions will be reseeded before the national semifinals at Weidner Field.
Tournament Timeline
First Round: Wednesday-Thursday, Nov. 20-21
Second Round: Friday-Saturday, Nov. 22-23
Third Round: Saturday, Nov. 23
Quarterfinals: Saturday, Nov. 23
National Semifinals: Weidner Field, Colorado Springs (date TBA)
Championship: Weidner Field, Colorado Springs (date TBA)
The regional format allows teams to compete at campus sites through the quarterfinals before the final four converge in Colorado for the national championship.