After 117 matches in an 11-day span on college campuses across the country, the semifinals match-ups are set for the 2015 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Soccer Championships at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri on Friday, Dec. 4. Division III's only two unbeaten teams -- Messiah College (women's) and Calvin College (men's) -- both headline the final four fields who will play for a berth in the national championship matches on Saturday, Dec. 5.
Tickets are now available for these matches (schedule below) and can be purchased in advance by calling 816-389-4193 or on gameday at the Swope Soccer Village box office.
Friday, Dec. 4 at Swope Soccer Village:
12 p.m.: Messiah College vs. Washington Univerity in St. Louis (women's)
2:30 p.m.: Centre College vs. Williams College (women's)
6 p.m.: Amherst College vs. SUNY Oneonta (men's)
8:30 p.m.: Calvin College vs. Loras College (men's)
Saturday, Dec. 5 at Swope Soccer Village:
2:30 p.m.: Women's Championship Match
6:30 p.m.: Men's Championship Match
The 2015 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Soccer Championships at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri will be co-hosted by the Kansas City Sports Commission and Fontbonne University. In addition, Sporting Park will host the NCAA Division I Men's College Cup from Dec. 11-13 (tickets) and the NCAA Division II Men's Football Championship on Dec. 19 (tickets).
NCAA DIVISION III WOMEN
Messiah College (No. 1, 22-0-2) from Mechanicsburg, PA: Five-time NCAA Division III champions (2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012), the Falcons' 0.13 goals against average is second best in the nation and senior forward Nikki Elsaesser's 28 goals this season are fourth most among Division III women's players.
Washington University in St. Louis (No. 4, 20-2-0): Runners-up in 2009, the Bears will travel across I-70 for their third appearance in the NCAA Division III women's soccer final four and have a 7-1 record against Top 25 opponents in 2015.
Williams College (No. 6, 19-1-2) from Williamstown, MA: The Ephs return to Kansas City after falling in a penalty shootout in last year's national championship. Despite losing nine seniors, Williams' roster features Audrey Thomas -- the Offensive MVP of last year's championship -- and All-American forward Kristi Kirshe who both scored 12 goals in 2015.
Centre College (No. 9, 21-1-1) from Danville, KY: The Colonels will make their first appearance in an NCAA Division III final four in any sport since 1989-90 and are led by junior striker Destinie Graves with 26 goals this season.
NCAA DIVISION III MEN
Calvin College (No. 1, 24-0-1) from Grand Rapids, MI: The Knights make their third trip to the NCAA Division III final four after finishing as runners-up in 2009 and 2011. Sophomore midfielder Mitch Stark has 15 assists in 2015, fifth most in Division III, while the Calvin defense leads the nation with a 0.22 goals against average.
Amherst College (No. 6, 17-1-1): Like Calvin, the Lord Jeffs are making their third trip to the NCAA Division III final four but will be seeking their first berth in a national championship. Amherst has given up only four goals all season and also leads the nation with a 0.22 goals against average.
SUNY Oneonta (No. 8, 19-3-1) from Oneonta, NY: The Red Dragons, where Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia once starred, return to Kansas City after falling in double overtime in last year's semifinal round. Both goal scorers from that 3-2 loss return so keep an eye on Jake Sutherland and Anthony Passiatore.
Loras College (No. 11, 17-4-1) from Dubuque, IA: The Duhawks will make the six-hour drive to Kansas City for their third final four appearance in the past four seasons. Loras was the final team to secure their berth, doing so on Monday with a 2-1 golden goal victory over Wheaton College.
