by TRAVIS CLARK
It's been a tournament ripe with upsets to this point, and with half the higher seeds still in the mix, there were plenty more for the taking in the latest round of the NCAA Tournament. This time, however, the majority of high seeds were able to hold serve, with the only seeded upset coming from the University of Maryland, 2-0 winners against No. 10 Harvard.
The defending champions won their third straight game thanks to goalie Zac MacMath, who stopped a Andre Akpan penalty and made five saves on the day. Up next for the Terrapins is the University of Virginia, who beat Portland 1-0. This will be the third meeting between the two schools in five weeks, with a spot in the semifinals on the line.
Rounding out the other two ACC representatives are Wake Forest and North Carolina. The Demon Deacons took care of interstate rivals Duke 4-2, and North Carolina squeaked by Indiana 1-0. Wake will meet UCLA in the quarterfinals, for what looks to be the most intriguing match-up of the round. The Bruins knocked out in-state rivals UCSB by a 2-1 score.
Not to be outdone by the ACC's reputation was Akron. The Zips are still the No. 1 seed, and answered the latest challenge of Standford with a 2-0 win in Ohio, one shy of equaling the Division I consecutive winning streak in men's soccer. First half goals from Teal Bunbury and Anthony Ampaipitakwong were enough to pace the nation's best team. The Zips next play host to No. 8 Tulsa, who beat No. 9 Northwestern 1-0.
Biggest upset of the day took place between two unseeded schools. Boston College and Drake met in Chesnut Hill and goal-scoring mayhem ensued. The Eagles got off to a 2-0 lead before Drake came back with four goals in the second half to win 6-4. Up next for the Bulldogs is another ACC foe in North Carolina.
What do you think of the third round results? Surprised to see Drake still in it? Can Akron keep the momentum going and make the championship? What is your favorite quarterfinal match-up?
Share your thoughts below.