2018 NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament

The 2018 NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament was the 60th edition of the NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament, a postseason tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA Division I men's college soccer. The first four rounds of the competition were held at the home ground of the higher seed, while the College Cup (semifinals and final) were held at Harder Stadium on the campus of University of California, Santa Barbara. The championship match was held on December 10, 2018 with the Maryland Terrapins defeating the Akron Zips 1–0 to claim their fourth title in program history.

Maryland did not yield any goals in this year's College Cup, maintaining a clean-sheet and out-scoring opponents, 6–0. This was Sasho Cirovski's third title as the Maryland coach. The Stanford Cardinal came into this tournament as the three-time defending NCAA champions. In last year's final, Stanford defeated Indiana in extra time, 1–0. This year, however, Stanford was defeated by eventual runner-up, Akron, 3–2, in the quarterfinal.

Qualification

As in previous editions of the NCAA Division I Tournament, the tournament features 48 participants out of a possible field of 203 teams. Of the 48 berths, 24 are allocated to the 21 conference tournament champions and to the regular season winners of the Ivy League, Pac-12 Conference, and West Coast Conference, which do not have tournaments. The remaining 24 berths are supposed to be determined through an at-large process based upon the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) of teams that did not automatically qualify.

The NCAA Selection Committee also names the top sixteen seeds for the tournament, with those teams receiving an automatic bye into the second round of the tournament. The remaining 32 teams play in a single-elimination match in the first round of the tournament for the right to play a seeded team in the second round.

Qualified teams

Team Qualified as Qualified on Qualification typePrevious appearances in tournament Previous bestperformance 2018 PerformanceSMU MustangsAmerican Conference Champions November 10, 2018 Automatic 31 (1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017) Semifinals (2000, 2005)New Hampshire WildcatsAmerica East Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic 2 (1994, 2017) Second Round (2017)Louisville CardinalsACC Champions November 10, 2018 Automatic 10 (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) Runners-Up (2010)Rhode Island RamsAtlantic 10 Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic 11 (1972, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006) Quarterfinals (1979)Lipscomb BisonsASUN Champions November 10, 2018 Automatic 1 (2017) First Round (2017)Georgetown HoyasBig East Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic 8 (1994, 1997, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017) Runners-Up (2012)Campbell CamelsBig South Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic 1 (2007)First Round (2007)Indiana HoosiersBig Ten Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic 42 (1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)Champions (1982, 1983, 1988, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2012) SemifinalistsUC Riverside HighlandersBig West Champions November 10, 2018 AutomaticNone (Debut)—James Madison DukesCAA Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic12 (1973, 1976, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2011, 2014) Third Round (2011)Kentucky WildcatsConference USA Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic8 (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016) Third Round (2000)UIC FlamesHorizon League Champions November 10, 2018 Automatic 7 (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2017) Third Round (2007)Princeton TigersIvy League Regular Season Champions November 10, 2018 Automatic9 (1977, 1979, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2009, 2010) Semifinals (1993)Rider BroncsMAAC Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic4 (1997, 1998, 2015, 2016) First Round (1997, 1998, 2015, 2016)Akron ZipsMAC Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic 28 (1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)Champions (2010)Runners-UpCentral Arkansas BearsMVC Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic 1 (2017) First Round (2017)LIU Brooklyn BlackbirdsNEC Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic14 (1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 2004, 2015) Runners-Up (1966)Stanford CardinalPac-12 Regular Season Champions November 9, 2018 Automatic16 (1962, 1978, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)Champions (2015, 2016, 2017)Colgate RaidersPatriot League Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic 7 (1959, 1966, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2017) Third Round (1992, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2017)Furman PaladinsSouthern Conference Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic12 (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015) Third Round (1999)Denver PioneersSummit League Champions November 10, 2018 Automatic7 (1970, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Semifinals (2016)Georgia State PanthersSun Belt Champions November 11, 2018 Automatic 1 (2011) First Round (2011)Grand Canyon AntelopesWAC Champions November 11, 2018 AutomaticNone (Debut)—Saint Mary's GaelsWCC Regular Season Champions November 4, 2018 Automatic2 (2009, 2011) Quarterfinals (2011)Wake Forest Demon Deacons RPI No. 1 November 12, 2018 At-Large 21 (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)Champions (2007)North Carolina Tar Heels RPI No. 3 November 12, 2018 At-Large 25 (1968, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2105, 2016, 2017)Champions (2001, 2011)Duke Blue Devils RPI No. 10 November 12, 2018 At-Large 26 (1972, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017)Champions (1986)Notre Dame Fighting Irish RPI No. 6 November 12, 2018 At-Large 20 (1988, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)Champions (2013)Virginia Cavaliers RPI No. 5 November 12, 2018 At-Large 39 (1969, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)Champions (1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2009, 2014)Maryland Terrapins RPI No. 12 November 12, 2018 At-Large 35 (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1976, 1986, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)Champions (1968, 2005, 2008, 2018)ChampionsVirginia Tech Hokies RPI No. 9 November 12, 2018 At-Large6 (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2016, 2017) Semifinals (2007)UCF Knights RPI No. 13 November 12, 2018 At-Large 5 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2011) Second Round (2003, 2004, 2010, 2011)Syracuse Orange RPI No. 18 November 12, 2018 At-Large 5 (1984, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016) Semifinals (2015)UC Irvine Anteaters RPI No. 17 November 12, 2018 At-Large 5 (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014) Third Round (2008, 2013, 2014)Oregon State Beavers RPI No. 27 November 12, 2018 At-Large 3 (2002, 2003, 2014) Second Round (2014)High Point University Panthers RPI No. 19 November 12, 2018 At-Large None (Debut)—Charlotte 49ers RPI No. 20 November 12, 2018 At-Large 12 (1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Runners-Up (2011)West Virginia Mountaineers RPI No. 14 November 12, 2018 At-Large 12 (1966, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1981, 1992, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011) Round of 16 (1989, 1992, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2010)Michigan State Spartans RPI No. 33 November 12, 2018 At-Large19 (1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)Champions (1967, 1968)SemifinalistsPortland Pilots RPI No. 38 November 12, 2018 At-Large 15 (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2016) Semifinals (1988, 1995)UCLA Bruins RPI No. 21 November 12, 2018 At-Large 44 (1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973,1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)Champions (1985, 1990, 1997, 2002)Washington Huskies RPI No. 25 November 12, 2018 At-Large23 (1972, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) Quarterfinals (2013)NC State Wolfpack RPI No. 28 November 12, 2018 At-Large14 (1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2017) Semifinals (2009)Pacific Tigers RPI No. 32 November 12, 2018 At-Large 2 (2016, 2017) Second Round (2016, 2017)Michigan Wolverines RPI No. 36 November 12, 2018 At-Large 6 (2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2017) Semifinals (2010)UNCW Seahawks RPI No. 31 November 12, 2018 At-Large 3 (2009, 2014, 2017) Second Round (2009, 2014, 2017)Air Force Falcons RPI No. 22 November 12, 2018 At-Large12 (1964, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1977, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2012, 2017)Quarterfinals (1968, 1993)UConn HuskiesRPI No. 24November 12, 2018At-Large35 (1960, 1966, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015)Champions (1981, 2000)

Seeding

Seeded teams Seed School Conference Record Berth type United Soccer Coaches ranking RPI ranking1Wake ForestACC17–1–0At-Large112IndianaBig Ten16–2–0Automatic223KentuckyConference USA15–1–1Automatic354LouisvilleACC9–4–3Automatic1035North CarolinaACC13–2–1At-Large446DukeACC10–5–2At-Large8117Notre DameACC10–6–2At-Large1668Saint Mary's (CA)WCC16–0–1Automatic589StanfordPAC-1211–2–4Automatic6910VirginiaACC9–3–3At-Large11711MarylandBig Ten8–6–3At-LargeNR1212Virginia TechACC10–6–3At-Large241013GeorgetownBig East10–4–3Automatic191514UCFAAC12–2–2At-Large71315DenverSummit League13–3–2Automatic91716SyracuseACC7–6–4At-LargeNR19

Schedule RoundDateFirst roundNovember 15Second roundNovember 18Third roundNovember 24–25QuarterfinalsNov 30 – Dec 2College Cup SemifinalsDecember 7College Cup FinalDecember 9

Bracket

Regional 1 Host Institution*

Regional 2 Host Institution*

Regional 3

Host Institution*

Regional 4 Host Institution*

2018 College Cup

Results

First Round

Second Round

Third Round

Quarterfinals

College Cup

Semifinals

Championship

Statistics

Goalscorers 7 Goals

Marcel Zajac — Akron

4 Goals

Amar Sejdič — Maryland

3 Goals

Ibrahima Diop — Connecticut David Egbo — Akron Manuel Ferriol — James Madison

2 Goals

Klint Parker — Air Force Timmy Mehl — Indiana Aaron Ward-Baptiste — James Madison Kalil El-Medkhar — Kentucky J. J. Williams — Kentucky Rasmus Hansen — LIU Brooklyn Sebastian Elney — Maryland Gabriel Machado — NC State Tyler Dickson — Rhode Island Nathaniel Crofts — Virginia

1 Goal

Tucker Bone — Air Force Austin Dewing — Air Force Danny Han — Air Force James Sims — Air Force Morgan Hackworth — Akron Abdi Mohamed — Akron Braden Petno — Akron Carlo Ritaccio — Akron Alemu Mercer-Miko — Campbell Daniel Bruce — Charlotte Dean Rutherford — Charlotte Steven DeLeo — Colgate Abdou Mbacke Thiam — Connecticut Moshe Perez — Denver Issa Rayyan — Duke Dylan Nealis — Georgetown