WALTHAM, Mass. – For the fourth-straight season, the Brandeis University men's and women's soccer teams will be playing in the NCAA Division III tournament. Both Judges squads received at-large berths in the tournament as they look to make return appearances in the Final Four.
The Brandeis women (11-4-4) learned their fate first today, as they were chosen to travel to Williamstown, Massachusetts, where they will meet Stevens Institute of Technology (11-4-3) in the opening round on November 11.
Next up, the Brandeis men (13-4) learned they will host the opening weekend for the fifth time in the past six seasons when they take on Western Connecticut State University (14-6-1) in the opening round on Gordon Field, also on November 11.
Game times and ticket prices will be announced later this week.
For the Brandeis women, a fourth-straight appearance marks the longest NCAA tournament stretch in program history under head coach Denise Dallamora, the team's only coach in the program's 38-year history. It is their seventh tournament appearance overall.
The Judges are coming off a season in which they posted a 12-match unbeaten streak, going 10-0-2 after dropping their season opener. Coming off a Final Four appearance, the Judges were ranked No. 6 in the preseason and as high as 15th in the nation during the year, before a slow finish to the campaign dropped them out of the top 25. They finished at 11-4-4, 2-3-2 in the University Athletic Association, tied for fourth place, and were one of four UAA squads to make the tournament.
Stevens is making their 10th NCAA tournament appearance after winning the Empire Eight regular season and tournament, taking the tournament crown on penalty kicks. The Ducks enter the tournament ranked No. 16 in Division III. This is their second appearance in the tournament in the last three years – all 10 of their berths have come under current coach Jeff Parker.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Judges and Ducks. They have two common opponents this season: Babson and NYU. Both squads defeated Babson (3-0 for Brandeis, 2-1 in OT for Stevens). Stevens defeated NYU, 1-0, while Brandeis and the Violets tied, 1-1, this past weekend.
The other women's game at Brandeis's regional this weekend pits regional host No. 4 Williams College (16-1-1) and Lesley University (16-2-3). The winners of the two matches will meet Sunday in the second round.