NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Following the unveiling of the 2017 Division II Men’s Soccer Championship bracket Monday night, the #18 Merrimack College men’s soccer team learned via the NCAA Selection Show that it will be the third seed in the East Region, as the program advanced to its fourth straight NCAA Tournament and fifth over the last six years.
Links: NCAA Release | Interactive Bracket | Printable Bracket | Selection Show
Merrimack will take on Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference champion, sixth-seeded Goldey-Beacom College. The Lightning, who defeated Jefferson in overtime on Saturday, are making their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. The two teams will play Thursday night at 7 p.m. on the campus of Adelphi University.
Last season, the Warriors entered the tournament as the fifth seed, defeating Franklin Pierce in the NCAA First Round, 3-2, in overtime on sophomore Aasmund Joedahl‘s (Ridabu, Norway) overtime winner. Merrimack eventually fell to #1 LIU Post in the Second Round game
Rounding out the regional, second-seeded Adelphi will host the winner of the Merrimack and Goldey-Beacom game, while top-seeded LIU Post will face the winner of fourth-seeded Southern Connecticut and fifth-seeded University of District of Columbia.
The two teams that emerge victorious in this week’s action will play in the East Region Final next week, hosted by the highest remaining seed.
Monday marks the programs fifth overall trip to the NCAA Tournament, all of which have come over the last six seasons.
NCAA East Region:
1) LIU Post (16-0-2)
2) Adelphi (13-2-2)
3) Merrimack (16-2-2)
4) #4 So. Conn. State (11-3-4)
5) #5 Univ. of D.C. (14-6)
6) #6 Goldey-Beacom (16-4-1)
