Text Box: Atlantic 10 Conference Friday November 9 #4 Richmond vs. #1 Rhode Island (Richmond 1 - Rhode Island 0) #3 Massachusetts vs. #2 Dayton (Massachusetts 4 - Dayton 2) Sunday November 11 Championship Game: Richmond vs. Mass. (Tied after 4 O.T.-Mass. won in p.k. 4-3) Players to keep an eye on: Nicholas McCreath, Michael Charles and Gareth Elliott from Rhode Island; Ken Holiday, Bret Meyers and Shawn Alexander from Richmond; Sunday Isename, Michael Nsien and Matt Hutchins from Dayton; Jeff Deren, Yuri Morales, Ptah Meyers and Bryan O’Quinn from Massachusetts. Analysis: Rhode Island won the regular season title going 9-2-0 in conference play. Their two conference losses were to Duquesne and Dayton. Rhode Island defeated Richmond 2-1 at home when the two teams faced each other during the regular season. Richmond won its final two games of the season to finish tied for third in the Atlantic 10 with an 8-3-0 record in conference play. Massachusetts finished 8-3-0 also but since they defeated Richmond when they faced each other in regular season play they earned the number three seed. Massachusetts ended regular season play with losses to Dayton and Xavier. Dayton finished regular season play at 8-2-1 and 11-6-2 overall. The Flyers ended the regular season on a high note by defeating Massachusetts 1-0 and Rhode Island 2-0. Rhode Island enters the tournament as a slight favorite based on the strength of their attack and their overall play during the regular season. However, any of the four teams could win it. Richmond has a very balanced team and their keeper is one of the best in the country. Massachusetts is a very quick team with several excellent finishers. Dayton goes into the tourney with a lot of momentum and the home field advantage. Text Box: Atlantic Coast Conference Thursday November 15 #4 Wake Forest vs. #5 Duke (Wake Forest 1 - Duke 1 - Wake Forest wins in p.k.) #2 North Carolina vs. #7 North Carolina State (North Carolina 2 - N.C. State 0) #3 Clemson vs. #6 Maryland (Clemson 3 - Maryland 1) Friday November 16 #1 Virginia vs. Wake Forest (Virginia 1 - Wake Forest 0 OT) North Carolina vs. Clemson (Clemson 2 - North Carolina 1) Sunday November 17 Championship Game: Virginia vs. Clemson (Clemson 1 - Virginia 0) Players to keep an eye on: Kyle Martino, Alecko Eskandarian, and Ryan Gibbs from Virginia; Marcus Storey, Danny Jackson, and Ryan Kneipper from North Carolina; Fabio Tambosi, Oguchi Onyewu, and Doug Warren from Clemson; Jeremiah White from Wake Forest; Jordan Cila and Donald McIntosh from Duke; Sumed Ibrahim from Maryland; Isreal Mejia from North Carolina State Analysis: Among the best tourneys in the country with four teams that are nationally ranked. Virginia is definitely the team to beat. This year the seeds should prevail in the first round. North Carolina defeated Clemson 1-0 when they meet in Chapel Hill in regular season play. The Tar Heels have had a great year and their back line is tough. Virginia defeated Wake Forest 1-0 in Charlottesville so second round action will be tough. The Demon Deacons are capable of upsetting Virginia but only if they play great team defense. Clemson will be tough at home. Look for a Clemson vs. Virginia final. Text Box: America East Wednesday November 7 #6 New Hampshire vs. #3 Towson (Towson 2 - New Hampshire 0) #5 Hofstra vs. #4 Northeastern (Northeastern 5 - Hofstra 0) Semifinals November 10 Towson vs. #2 Hartford (Towson 2 - Hartford 1) Northeastern vs. #1 Boston University (Northeastern 2 - Boston Univ. 1) Saturday November 17 Championship Game - Northeastern vs. Towson (Towson 1 - Northeastern 0) Players to keep an eye on: Joachim Kaland, Andrew Dorman, and Zak Thompson from Boston University; Alon Lubezky, Milton Speid, Asaf Lubezky and Chris Doyle from Hartford; Alfonso DeMares, Todd Lauber and Machel Millwood from Towson; Petter Starnas from Northeastern; Patrick Geraghty from Hofstra; Josh Hareld and Brendon Hankard from New Hampshire Analysis: Coach Neil Roberts’ Boston University Terriers won their first regular season conference title since 1994 with an overall record of 13-4-1 and a 9-1-1 record in conference play. Their lone conference loss was to Hofstra 1-0 and they tied New Hampshire 2-2. Towson was 12-4-1 overall and 8-2-1 in conference play. Hartford was 12-5-2 and 8-2-1 in conference play. Northeastern was 11-7-0 and 7-4-0 in conference action. The level of play in the America East Conference has been very high this year. It should be a great tourney.