Men's DI Tournament Quarterfinal Preview

by Victor Olorunfemi

December 1, 2023

The men’s college soccer quarterfinal is upon us, and with it come four games with incredible matchups. Read a preview covering everything you need to know ahead of the elite eight.

No. 5 Loyola Marymount (10-4-6) at No. 2 West Virginia (16-2-4), Saturday, December 2nd, 2 PM Eastern, ESPN+

Both programs have a chance to qualify for their first College Cup in history, but West Virginia faces the most pressure at home with a golden opportunity against a team no one had made to this stage. The Mountaineers know they have an offense that has shown up when needed, but Loyola Marymount has shown the ability to win any game, whether high or low scoring. No matter how this falls, it should be a close game.

No. 6 Indiana (15-4-4) at No. 1 Notre Dame (12-2-5), Saturday, December 2nd, 5 PM Eastern, ESPN+

Notre Dame may be at home, but Indiana is the last team anyone in the country wants to face. Not only is this one of the best coaching staff in the nation, with years of experience in navigating deep tournament runs, but this team is also on an eight-game winning streak, with the last two coming in hostile territory. Fortunately, the Irish will have had plenty of time to recoup from a penalty shootout win in the third round, but the absence of KK Baffour to a red card suspension, who leads the team in assists, is a big loss.

No. 6 Oregon State (10-5-5) at No. 1 North Carolina (11-3-7), Saturday, December 2nd, 5 PM Eastern, ESPN+

From one squad no one wants to play to another, North Carolina faces an Oregon State team whose offense put seven on SMU in the third round away from home. Tournament wins are rarely about the better team, as it often comes down to luck and who is in form. But if the Tar Heels can limit the transition opportunities the Beavers thrive on, it may be a more straightforward matchup than imagined.

No. 4 Stanford (11-3-5) at No. 3 Clemson (12-3-5), Saturday, December 2nd, 6 PM Eastern, ESPN+

Stanford showed last week that it has no fears going on the road as it employs a physical and organized style of play that travels well in all conditions. Clemson is in for a dogfight here, but there is no better conference to prepare for that than the ACC. Do not be surprised if this turns into a blood batch with ten+ bookings between the two teams.

Related Topics: Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Pacific 12, Sun Belt, West Coast