NCAA BRACKET
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – For the first time in league history, the American Athletic Conference will see two of its teams meet in the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship, as UCF and SMU will play for a third time this season in the Round of 16. Next weekend's contest will be scheduled for either Saturday, Nov. 30 or Sunday, Dec. 1 at Westcott Field on the campus of SMU in Dallas, Texas.
The No. 9 seed Knights and No. 8 seed Mustangs both advanced out of the second round with wins in extra time on Sunday evening, with UCF defeating Missouri State, 2-1 and SMU beating Coastal Carolina, 1-0. The Knights advance to the third round for the first time in program history, while SMU advances to the Round of 16 for the second time in three seasons.
Just a week ago, the Knights and Mustangs met in the American Athletic Conference championship match, with SMU prevailing 1-0 to earn its third-consecutive conference crown. In the regular season, SMU and UCF played to a 3-3 draw at Westcott Field on Oct. 6, with all six goals scored in the second half.
UCF (15-2-2) came from behind on Sunday to hand Missouri State its only loss of the season. After the Bears scored just four minutes after the opening whistle, the Knights evened the score in the 28th minute on a header goal by Yoni Sorokin. The Knights then dominated possession throughout the second half, and broke through just 42 seconds into overtime. A quick counter led to a Gino Vivi cross along the goal mouth, finding a sprinting Cal Jennings for the tap-in winner.
Vivi finished with a pair of assists, and goalkeeper Yannik Oettl made two stops as the Knights outshot Missouri State 18-8.
SMU (17-1-1) was locked in a close battle with Coastal Carolina throughout, with neither team able to beat the other side's keeper in regulation. Mustang keeper Grant Makela and the Chanticleers' Alberto Ciroi made five saves apiece, with just 11 shots on goal. In extra time, SMU loaded on the pressure, and with less than three minutes remaining, Garrett McLaughlin collected the loose ball off the initial shot from Knut Ahlander, tapping the ball to the open side of Ciroi. With the victory, the Mustangs have won seven-straight matches, tied for the most amongst team still competing.
Next weekend will continue a season of firsts for the American Athletic Conference in men's soccer. 2019 marks the first year that multiple teams sit in the top 10 of the final coaches' poll, earned national seeds for the NCAA Championship and advanced past the second round.
For full coverage leading into next weekend's match, follow @American_MSOC on Twitter and stay tuned to theamerican.org.
2019 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
Sunday, Nov. 24 – Second Round
No. 9 UCF 2, Missouri State 1 (OT)
No. 8 SMU 1, Coastal Carolina 0 (2OT)
Saturday, Nov. 30 or Sunday, Dec. 1 – Third Round
No. 9 UCF at No. 8 SMU