Conference tournaments are right around the corner, increasing the stakes of each match this late in the college soccer season. While the No. 1 Akron Zips have certainly earned at least an at-large bid, an undefeated regular season is still in sight. The Zips did nothing to harm the cause Wednesday, eking out a 2-1 win against Michigan State to remain undefeated on the year. Teal Bunbury scored his 15th goal of the year, pulling himself into a tie for the nation's top goalscorer.
Out in the Big West, No. 3 UCSB locked up the regular season title, winning the conference for the sixth time in the last nine years. The Gauchos drew with Cal Poly 0-0, but on 22 points in conference secures the top spot in the Big West tournament.
Speaking of tournaments, the earlier rounds of the Big East version began this week. Rutgers beat West Virginia 2-0, Providence scored twice in the last 10 minutes to win against Villanova 2-1, while DePaul ousted Georgetown on penalty kicks. All three winners advance to the quarterfinals this weekend.
What did you think of some of this week's college soccer matches? Can Akron finish a undefeated regular season? Who will win the Big East tournament? Any other big games this week?
Share your thoughts below.
UCSB & Cal Poly (SLO) have really got it going on. That rivalry is killer, the soccer is pretty good (albeit they play with funky college rules), and they have the fans coming out in volume, of both kinds.
It’s a better show than MLS, and they really draw a crowd.
And it must be mentioned, if you go to UCSB to play, you get showered with tortillas! Leave it to college kids to show us what sports passion is about.
Cal Poly SLO and UCSB are like two brothers fighting to the end. A great show, and very healthy for soccer. We could use more of that
–old Gaucho
we had over a 11k last year
Go Dayton- now ranked 23rd after huge wins over Charlotte and St Louis! my old college teammate coaches them, and with a win over Xavier this weekend they could lock up the regular season and the #1 seed in the A-10.
“The crowd of 9,824 marked the seventh biggest in NCAA regular season history. Four of the top-10 most heavily attended games in NCAA history have been between UCSB and Cal Poly, all occurring within the last three seasons.”
Having grown up in s.b. and graduated from slo I definitely feel like I missed the bus. I went to games with dad growing up and then while at college in slo, but it was never that rockin.
The fan rivalry they have brewed up over the last few years is very impressive. I send a sincere “well played sir/madam” out to all those fans that have braved the rough so cal weather to make it possible.
Keep up the good work!
sounds like a combo, but im sure at least 5k college kids. all my buddies were there, wish i could have been. Poly-UCSB has to be the best rivalry in the country hands down.
HA!
Go Bulls!
Ives…. who do you name as the top 10 male college soccer players?
Providence College Friars to win the BEast tournament!
Are they primarily college kids or a large mix of the general population? Either way, that’s quite impressive.
Close to 10k in SLO for the UCSB/Poly game