NCAA BRACKET

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville got on the board twice in the first 23 minutes to set the tone, and prevailed over USF by a 4-1 final in the first round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship on Thursday evening.

The Bulls close the season at 10-7-1 overall (4-3-0 American) after securing the program's first berth to the NCAA Championship since 2016. Louisville advances to meet No. 14 seed UC Davis in the second round.

USF's lone score on the night came from Josue Monge, who sent a header past the diving Cardinal keeper off the throw-in by Stephen Rudderham. After Monge's goal in the 68th minute, Louisville responded seconds later, finding its third goal in the 69th minute to keep the match out of reach.The Cardinals added the final goal of the night in the 82nd minute.

Bull keeper Harrison Devenish-Meares made two saves in the final outing of his career.

With an RPI ranking of No. 32, USF earned one of two at-large bids to the NCAA field for The American. UCF, the other at-large selection, and automatic selection SMU both earned national seeds and will open tournament play in the second round. The No. 8 Mustangs will host Coastal Carolina at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, and the No. 9 Knights will entertain undefeated Missouri State at 6 p.m. ET the same night.