Men's Soccer NCAA First Round Preview

Worcester, MA- For the first time since the 2016 season, the defending MASCAC Champion Worcester State Lancers will be playing in the NCAA Division lll Men’s Soccer Tournament as they head down to New Jersey to take on the #4 seeded Stevens Duck’s, the champions out of the MAC Freedom Conference. Unlike the MASCAC championship game where Worcester State were the favorites as the host team, the Lancers will come into this first round matchup as the visiting underdogs. This is not a first for this postseason run, as they travelled to Salem St. nearly a week ago as the underdogs and came home as unexpected hosts of the championship game. Below are three ways that Worcester State can place themselves in a repeat position of taking out the host institution.

1.     Be Bold: Whenever a team goes into a contest where they are seen as underdogs, it is not uncommon for teams to implement trick plays to gain an advantage. For Worcester State, they don’t have to get to crazy as Stevens is not a conference or regional opponent who has had much opportunity to see them play, but attempting some new set pieces can never go amiss.

2.     Keep the game within one goal with 20 minutes to play: Stevens being ranked in the top five nationally, and having not lost a game this season, it is fair to assume that the Ducks will be able to put pressure on the Lancers defensive unit, and goalkeeper Andy Ramirez (Waltham, Mass). To make matters difficult for the Lancers, they are going up against one of the best goalkeepers in the country in Stevens’ senior goalkeeper Justin Cross (Kendall Park, NJ). Cross has helped Stevens achieve the best team goals against average for Division lll with a .274. Having said that, all the Lancers need to do is put one in the back of the net and keep their intensity up until the final horn.

3.     Block out the Distractions: When a team gets to an NCAA Tournament, they have extra responsibilities to take care of, such as media availability. However, it is important for the players and coaches to stick to a routine and try to prepare for this upcoming match-up like any other game they have played.

The Worcester State Men’s Soccer players set a goal early in the season to win the championship and have this opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament, now the Lancers get to make that dream a reality as they play in the biggest game of their lives, so far.