UCLA - The Bruins have played very well recently.  This is their 19th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.  UCLA struggled early own but that does not seem to be the case now.  The Bruins ended the season on a six game unbeaten streak. 

 

San Diego - This is San Diego’s 4th straight trip to the NCAA Tourney.  The Toreros will host the winner of the UCLA - Loyola Marymount match.  San Diego is on a five give winning streak. The Toreros struggled early on in WCC play and that hurt their national ranking.  But make no mistake about it, San Diego is a very good soccer team.  The challenge for both UCLA and San Diego is the fact that SMU is in their bracket.

 

Kentucky - The Wildcats are the Mid American Conference champions.  They play solid team defense and attack with passion.  The Wildcats have tallied 37 goals while allowing only 14 so far this year.   Coach Ian Collins is developing the Kentucky program into a national contender.  If the Wildcats get by Mercer the problem then becomes facing Clemson at home at Riggs Field but they appear to match up well with Clemson.

 

Furman - The Paladins have become the dominant team in the Southern Conference winning the last four Southern Conference regular season titles and 16 of the last 19.  Furman is making its 3rd straight appearance in the NCAA Tourney.  They square off against UAB and if they get past that match they face South Carolina on the Gamecocks home turf.  The Paladins have been in every match they have played this year.  They lost  close matches to UAB, Clemson, South Carolina and Kentucky.  Furman lost to South Carolina 3-2 in overtime, to Clemson 3-2 in overtime, to UAB 2-1 and to Kentucky 1-0.  Forward John Barry Nusum is one of the premier finishers in the country.  Furman could go one and out but if things click they are very capable of making a very serious run.

 

Rutgers - The Scarlet Knights are one of the best teams in the country. They have played a very difficult schedule.  Offensively and defensively they are tough.  If Rutgers gets by Harvard in the first round they will face Connecticut.  Connecticut defeated Rutgers by a 1-0 margin in the Big East Tourney.  Rutgers is capable of winning that one. 

 

Washington - The Huskies are 13-5-0.  They struggled somewhat at the end of the season.  However they always play solid team defense and team defense is a big factor in tournament play.  The Huskies will host the winner of the Gonzaga vs. Portland match.  The problem is that if they get past that match they are likely to face Stanford.  Washington is capable of defeating Stanford but to do so they will need to play better than when the two teams meet during the regular season.  Stanford defeated Washington 4-1 and 1-0 in regular season play.    

     

Wisconsin-Milwaukee - The Panthers were upset by Butler in the tournament final of the Horizon League.  Regardless, Wisconsin-Milwaukee is 18-4-0 and they have had a very successful season.  Ryan Seymour is one of the best finishers in the country and he is surrounded by a solid core of very talented players.  UWM faces UMKC in the first round with the winner going up against St. Louis.  Make no mistake, Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a very solid soccer team.  

 

James Madison -  James Madison finished the year strong defeating William and Mary and VCU to win the Colonial Athletic Conference Championship.  Levi Strayer and Reggie Rivers are talented midfielders and Josh Kovolenko has played well between the pipes for the Dukes.  James Madison faces Towson with the winner going up against North Carolina in Chapel Hill.  If James Madison is on they are capable of the upset. 

 

Wake Forest - The Demon Deacons have a very balanced and competitive soccer team. They have more than held their own with everyone in the ACC.  Brian Carroll and Jerimiah White lead the Wake Forest offense.  Wake lost to Virginia 1-0 in overtime in the ACC Tournament.  During regular season play they defeated North Carolina.  Wake Forest could make a serious run.