William and Mary vs. James Madison - An important Colonial Athletic Conference match that features the two teams that squared off in the CAA Conference Championship game last year.  William and Mary is 7-5-1 overall and has won two straight but has not been able to put three together in a row so far this year.  William and Mary is 0-1-0 in conference play losing 2-0 earlier to Old Dominion.  James Madison is 7-4-0 overall and 1-1-0 in conference play with a 5-0 win over UNC-Wilmington and a 1-0 loss to V.C.U.  Both teams need the win to get into the hunt for the conference title.

 

Cincinnati vs. Memphis - An important Conference USA match for both teams.  Memphis got new life when they upset UAB 3-2 to improve to 2-3-1 in conference action.  Memphis forward Sean Fraser recorded a hat trick in that one.  Forward Lars Thorstensen is also an offensive threat for Memphis.  Cincinnati is 1-3-1 in conference action and a win over Memphis would give them new life. 

 

Ohio State vs. Indiana - An important Big Ten Conference match.  The Hoosiers were unable to muster a goal in their last match and were upset by Notre Dame 1-0 on their home turf.  That is unlikely to happen two times in a row but you never know.  Indiana is 9-3-0 overall and 5-0-0 in conference play.  A win for the Hoosiers over Ohio State would mean that they have run the table in Big Ten play with a perfect record.  Ohio State is 8-2-2 overall and 1-1-1 in conference  action.  The Ohio State attack has struggled recently but they have stayed in their matches by playing solid team defense.  In their last three matches the have recorded a 1-0 win over Cleveland State, a 0-0 tie with Big Ten foe Penn State, and a 1-0 win over Oakland.  Indiana definitely has the upper hand going into this one but this is a good Ohio State team. 

 

S.M.U. vs. Tulsa - On paper it looks like a sure thing for the visiting Mustangs who enter the contest with a perfect 11-0-0 record and a 4-0-0 record in Missouri Valley Conference play.  However, this is a solid Tulsa team and they have been known to pull off the big upset before.  Tulsa is 7-6-0 overall and 2-2-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play.  Look for Hurricane Coach Tom McIntosh to go into this one prepared and fired up.  If they are able to halt the talented Mustang attack and take advantage of the opportunities that they are likely to have to score then this one could be a very exciting and competitive college soccer match. 

 

Connecticut vs. Georgetown - A big Big East Conference match.  Connecticut may be playing as well as any team in the country right now.  They are 5-0-0 in Big East play and 8-2-2 overall.  Regardless, Georgetown on the road is a big hurdle for them as this Hoyas team is talented and a much tougher squad than their 5-6-1 overall record might indicate. Georgetown is 3-3-0 in Big East play and a win today would be huge for them. In their last match the Hoyas traveled to New Jersey and lost 3-2 to Rutgers in overtime.  Georgetown has a very capable attack. If they can play solid team defense and limit the Huskie attack then this one could go down to the wire.  

 

South Florida vs. St. Louis -  The Billikens are a perfect 9-0-0 overall and 5-0-0 in Conference USA play.  The Bulls from South Florida started the year on a tear winning eight straight.  They were a Cinderella team for sure but the clock seems to have struck midnight for them in recent key matches against ranked teams as they lost 3-0 to UAB and 5-0 to North Carolina.  The Billikens lead the series with South Florida 21-4-1 and have won the last two in a row.  Regardless, this is a very capable South Florida team with a 10-2-0 overall record and a 4-1-0 record in Conference USA play. It will be interesting to see if South Florida can control the multi-dimensional St. Louis attack and get their offense rolling.  On the other hand if St. Louis allows the Bulls to get their attack in gear then this one will be exciting. 

 

Boston College vs. Notre Dame - A key Big East match.  Notre Dame is playing very well.  The Irish are 7-4-0 overall and 4-2-0 in Big East play.  They have now won four in a row including a 1-0 upset on the road over Indiana University.  Boston College is 8-3-0 overall and 5-2-0 in Big East play.  The Eagles are not dominating their opponents but credit them with doing the things they need to do to get the win.  Both teams need the win in conference play as it impacts seeding in the conference tourney. 

 

San Diego vs. Portland - This is a huge West Coast Conference match.  San Diego was upset in a heartbreaker by Santa Clara last week and they need this one to stay in the title hunt for the conference title.  San Diego is a very talented and balanced team.  It will be interesting to see how well they respond on the field to the additional pressure that they are under due to the loss to Santa Clara.  The Portland has played somewhat inconsistently this year but they have a team that can be potent on attack.  If Santa Clara takes charge from the get go they should have the upper hand but if Portland gets their game in gear then this one could go either way.  Regardless, this will be a great college soccer match well worth watching should you be in Portland. 

 

Stanford vs. Santa Clara - The Pac 10 faces the West Coast Conference in this non-conference encounter.  Stanford was recently upset by UCLA but came back to defeat California 4-0 Friday night.  Santa Clara has won two big matches against West Coast Conference foes in a row defeating San Diego and San Francisco with both matches requiring extra play to determine a winner.  Santa Clara has played solid team defense all year but their attack has been less than prolific and that has hurt them.  If this is a high scoring match Stanford is likely to be the winner.  However, if Santa Clara keeps it close and takes advantage of their opportunities on attack then this one is likely to go down to the wire and then some. 

 

Rutgers vs. South Carolina -  This is a second round match in the Gamecock Classic in Columbia, South Carolina.  Both teams are nationally ranked and both teams are very well coached.  Rutgers was upset by Syracuse two games ago.  South Carolina was upset by Maryland 1-0 Friday night on their home turf.  That makes it two years in a row that the Gamecocks have been upset in the first round of their own tourney.  Last year Bucknell got the upset win over South Carolina.  The Gamecocks have played a very difficult schedule and may be getting leg weary.  If that is the case they will have a difficult time with Rutgers.  Both teams can and will attack which means that team defense will probably determine the outcome.

 

Penn State vs. Michigan State -  A key Big Ten Conference match.  Michigan State is 8-2-1 overall and 3-1-0 in the conference.  The Spartans go into this one on a five game winning streak.  Penn State is 7-3-1 overall and 3-1-1 in Big Ten play.  A win is big for both teams  in terms of conference seeding. 

 

UCLA vs. Oregon State - The Beavers have been playing well so this one could be a tough match for the visiting UCLA Bruins.  UCLA goes into it off a big win over Stanford and a 3-1 loss to Washington on Friday night.  Oregon State comes into it after a 2-1 loss to Washington and a 5-0 win over Western Washington.  A win would be big for Oregon State and affirm that this team is better than their 4-6-0 overall record.  Oregon State is 0-1-0 in Pac 10 play.  UCLA is 2-0-0 in Pac 10 play. The Bruins have the upper hand going into the match but this one is likely to be closely contested.