Minutemen Soccer Set for NCAA Sweet 16 Matchup Against No. 11 Virginia on Saturday
Following a 1-0 victory at No. 6-ranked Penn on Sunday, the UMass men’s soccer team will face the 11th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers in the third round of the NCAA Tournament this Saturday, Nov. 30, at Klöckner Stadium in Charlottesville, Va. The 5 p.m. “Sweet 16” match to determine who advances to the tournament quarterfinals will stream live on ESPN+.
Saturday will mark the Minutemen’s first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2007, when the program reached the Final Four.
UMass (12-3-5, 5-2-2 A10) advanced past Penn thanks to immaculate defensive play and the 51st career goal – his 16th of the season – by grad forward Alec Hughes. Senior golakeeper Alex Geczy saved seven shots to earn his ninth clean sheet of the season, tying him for second all-time in most shutouts in a single season for UMass, one shy of Zach Simmons’ record of 10.
The Minutemen opened their NCAA Tournament on Thursday, with a 2-1 win over the University of Evansville on Rudd Field on Nov. 21. Hughes opened the scoring for UMass in the 21st minute by curling an incredible free kick past the Aces’ for what was his 50th career goal, and senior midfielder Andrew Ortiz notched what would be the game-winner for the Minutemen in the 60th minute.
Should the Minuteman top the Cavaliers on Saturday, they’ll face either No. 3 Denver or No. 14 Indiana in the Elite Eight quarterfinal round.
Full details on this weekend’s match, including a link to the ESPN+ stream and live stats, will be posted in the coming days on UMassAthletics.com.