The NCAA announced the field for the Division I Men’s Soccer Championship on Monday. Seven Sporting KC Academy players will represent six programs in the tournament. This year’s College Cup will be held December 9 and 11 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Sophomore forward Zach Wright (pictured, above) is the highest ranked SKC Academy player in the tournament as a No. 9 seed with the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. Wright had a strong second year for one of the nation’s top programs, tallying five goals and six assists in 18 games played.
Goalkeeper Ryan Krutz is the only other Academy player to feature for a ranked team in the tournament. The University of Notre Dame sophomore appeared in one match for the Fighting Irish last season.
After winning the Atlantic 10 Championship in a penalty kick shootout last weekend, Matthew Lewis, Cole Stevenson and Fordham University will travel to Boston College for their opening round match. The Academy products combined for seven goals and four assists this past season.
Wes White and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers had an impressive season, winning the Sun Belt Conference regular season and conference tournament. They will host Radford on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA tournament. White appeared in 18 games this year and tallied three goals and two assists.
Rounding out the field for the SKC Academy is UNLV sophomore Alexis Quevedo and Creighton’s Bryce Gibson. UNLV won the WAC Tournament title to earn a berth in the NCAA tournament and will travel to San Diego State for their first round match. Quevedo appeared in five matches for the Rebels in 2016. Creighton fell in the Big East Championship on Sunday, but earned an at-large berth in the tournament and will host Tulsa on Thursday. Gibson appeared in 14 matches for the Bluejays during the regular season.
