Griffon soccer earns No. 5-seed in NCAA tourney, draws Washburn in opening round
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The Griffon soccer team will march into its first NCAA Tournament against a familiar foe in the opening round.
The Missouri Western soccer team, fresh of a dramatic victory in Saturday's MIAA Championship, was named the No. 5 seed in the Central Region of the NCAA Tournament during Monday's selection show, matching up with MIAA-rival and No. 4 Washburn University.
The Griffons (12-2-7) will face off against the Ichabods (11-3-5) on Friday at 10 a.m. in Mankato, Minnesota.
The Griffons are coming off their first MIAA Tournament Championship in program history, defeating Central Oklahoma 2-1 in overtime on Saturday after wins over rival No. 5-seed Northwest Missouri State and No. 8-seed Northeastern State to make the final.
Tournament Breakdown
The first round of the single-elimination tournament begins on Thursday, Nov. 20.
The two finalists in each region will advance to the third-round competition to be played Nov. 30. Regional champions will meet in the quarterfinal-round to be played Saturday, Dec. 6.
The semifinal and championship games will take place Dec. 11 and 13 at Switchbacks FC Stadium hosted by Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Tournament dates:
- Second round: Sunday, Nov. 23
- Third Round: Sunday, Nov. 30
- Quarterfinals:Â Saturday, Dec. 6
- Semifinals:Â Thursday, Dec. 11Â at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Final: Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2Â p.m. ET
