BOSTON, Mass. – Gordon College has claimed the top seed for the 2013 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's soccer championship, which begins with quarterfinal matchups on campus sites Saturday.
The Fighting Scots (17-1-0 overall) earned the top seed in the conference tournament after posting a near-perfect 8-1-0 record in CCC play. Gordon, currently ranked 11th in the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division III Men's Soccer National Poll and fourth in the latest NCAA Division III New England Regional Rankings, will host #8 seed Wentworth Institute of Technology (2-14-1, 2-6-1) in a quarterfinal contest Saturday at 11:00 a.m. This contest will be part of a men's/women's doubleheader.
Other quarterfinal matchups slated for Saturday include #2 seed Western New England University (12-4-3, 6-1-1) hosting #7 seed Curry College (7-7-4, 2-4-3) at 12:00 p.m. In addition, #3 seed Nichols College (11-1-5, 6-1-2) will host #6 seed Endicott College (9-9-0, 4-5-0) at 1:00 p.m., while #4 seed Salve Regina University (9-7-2, 5-3-1) will host #5 seed Roger Williams University (14-4-1, 4-4-1) at 12:00 p.m.
CCC tiebreaking procedures were used to determine the second seed in the tournament. Both Western New England and Nichols completed the regular season with 20 points (6-1-2 CCC). The Golden Bears were awarded the tournament's #2 seed by virtue of a 2-0 victory in the teams' conference matchup on September 28.
Four CCC teams earned positions in the most recent NCAA Division III New England Regional Rankings released on October 24. In addition to Gordon holding down the fourth position, Roger Williams (5th), Western New England (7th) and Nichols (10th) received spots in the rankings.
After finishing 1-11-4 last season and scoring just eight goals in 16 games, the Leopards return to the post-season for the fourth time in five seasons and the 21st time since the 1989 season. Saturday marks the seventh postseason meeting between the two schools with the Fighting Scots, who lead the all-time series 15-6-2, holding a 4-1-1 edge in the previous six tournament meetings. In 2010, the two teams battled to a 0-0 draw after 110 minutes with the Fighting Scots advancing, 4-2, on penalty kicks.
Quarterfinal winners will advance to the semifinal round which will be played on Tuesday, November 5 at the sites of the higher seeds. Matches are tentatively scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Semifinal winners will square off for the conference championship on Saturday, November 9 at 1:00 p.m. at the site of the higher seed.
All published start times are subject to change.
Click HERE for the Interactive Tournament Bracket.
Click HERE for the Printable Tournament Bracket.
2013 CCC MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
All Start Times Subject to Change
Quarterfinals • Saturday, November 2
#8 Wentworth (2-14-1 2-6-1) at #1 Gordon (17-1-0, 8-1-0), 11:00 a.m.
#7 Curry (7-7-4, 2-4-3) at #2 Western New England (12-4-3, 6-1-1), 12:00 p.m.
#6 Endicott (9-9-0, 4-5-0) at #3 Nichols (11-1-5, 6-1-2), 1:00 p.m.
#5 Roger Williams (14-4-1, 4-4-1) at #4 Salve Regina (9-7-2, 5-3-1), 12:00 p.m.
Semifinals • Tuesday, November 5
1/8 winner vs. 4/5 winner, 1:00 p.m. (at higher seed)
2/7 winner vs. 3/6 winner, 1:00 p.m. (at higher seed)
Championship Match • Saturday, November 9
Semifinal Winners, 1:00 p.m. (at higher seed)
(Release courtesy of the Commonwealth Coast Conference)
