COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. ---- The NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer National Tournament seedings were announced on Tuesday evening, with the Massasoit Warriors earning the No. 12 seed of 12 teams in the field.
The tournament will take place from Nov. 16-21 at the Smith Rivers Sport Complex in Axton, Va., hosted by Patrick Henry CC. A total of four three-team pools are scheduled to compete, with the winner of each pool advancing on to the NJCAA semifinals.
Massasoit enters the tournament ranked No. 18 overall in the most recent NJCAA poll and will compete at the Nationals for the first time since 1995. The Warriors own a record of 13-6 for the season, claiming the Region 21 Championship and finishing runner up in the Northeast District Tournament. Massasoit fell to ASA in the district finals, 3-0, but qualified for the national tournament due to the rotating district qualifying rules.
The Warriors will have the daunting task of facing top-seed and No. 1 nationally ranked Louisburg from North Carolina in the first match of the tournament schedule as part of Pool A. The match will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16. The Hurricanes boast a 20-1 record on the season and have strung together 19 consecutive victories. The lone loss for Louisburg on the season came in a neutral site game to Monroe College, falling 2-0. Massasoit also lost to Monroe College during the 2015 regular season, falling 5-1 on the road back on Sept. 19.
After Monday's matchup against Louisburg, the Warriors will face No. 8 seed Iowa Western on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. in the first game of day two of the tournament. The Reivers are 16-1-4 on the season, with the lone loss coming to Otero JC on Aug. 30.
Following its two matches, Massasoit will have to see what pans outs when Louisburg and Iowa Western face on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.
If the Warriors were to advance out of pool play, they would play in the NJCAA National semifinals on Friday, Nov. 20 at 4:30 p.m. against the highest remaining seed to advance.
The National Championship will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 4:30 p.m.
All games will be live streamed via the NJCAA official website.
Massasoit's Tournament Schedule (Pool A)
(1) Louisburg vs. (12) Massasoit – Monday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m.
(8) Iowa Western vs. (12) Massasoit – Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m.
(1) Louisburg vs. (8) Iowa Western – Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.
If Massasoit advances out of pool play:
NJCAA Semifinals – Friday, Nov. 20 at 4:30 p.m.
NJCAA Finals – Saturday, Nov. 21 at 4:30 p.m.