Nov. 14, 2005
NORFOLK, VA--The 7th-ranked Old Dominion University men's soccer team received a #10 seed in the NCAA Tournament-the highest in program history-on Monday and receive their second consecutive first round bye. ODU will face the winner of the Wake Forest/South Carolina contest next Tuesday at the Old Dominion Soccer Stadium. Times and ticket prices will be announced later in the week. #7 seed California is in the same bracket as Old Dominion. This will mark the fifth consecutive season ODU has made a second round appearance in the postseason.
"Getting a #10 seed is a tribute to our performance in a strong nonconference schedule and our ability to do so well within our own conference" Head Coach Alan Dawson said. "We are very excited to get the highest seed in program history and to host a second round match."
ODU, currently 15-3-2 overall this season, is 2-1 all-time against South Carolina, and 2-8 against Wake Forest. South Carolina (12-6-2) last faced ODU in 1999, dropping a 3-1 decision.The Demon Deacons (11-7-2) knocked the Monarchs out of the second round of the 2002 NCAA Tournament 1-0. Wake Forest had previously earned #1 overall seeds in two of three previous tournaments. ODU won the last meeting between the two teams 2-0 in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel that affected the area.
The Monarchs hold a 2-1 record against teams who received seeds for the tournament. ODU knocked off No. 13 seed Virginia 3-0, and No. 14 seed NC State 2-1, while dropping a 2-1 decision to No. 4 seed North Carolina. ODU also tied No. 12 seed Virginia Tech in an exhibition match.
California will face the winner of the Santa Clara/Ohio State match that will take place on the campus of Santa Clara.
CAA competitors James Madison and Hofstra will also be participating in the postseason tourney. Hofstra received the CAA automatic bid and will face Providence in the first round. The winner of that match will play at No. 4 seed North Carolina. JMU will take on UNC-Greensboro in the first round, and will face #12 seed Virginia Tech should they advance.
NCAA College Cup Top Seeds
1. Maryland2. North Carolina3. Indiana4. North Carolina5. UCLA6. Duke7. California8. Connecticut9. Akron10. Old Dominion11. Penn State12. Virginia Tech13. Virginia14. North Carolina State15. Cal State Northridge16. Dartmouth