GRANVILLE, Ohio (Nov. 11) – For the 12th time in program history, the Denison University men's soccer team is heading to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The NCAA released its 64-team bracket through their annual selection show which was held on Monday afternoon.
This marks the third appearance in the tournament in the past four years for Denison. The Big Red will open up NCAA play with a first round matchup versus Anderson University (Ind.) on Saturday, Nov. 16. Denison will be in search of its first win in the NCAA Tournament since 2006. Denison and Anderson have three common played three common opponents in 2024 (Wabash, Kenyon, Transylvania).
2024 NCAA First and Second Round Schedule
(Denison University - Granville, Ohio)
Saturday, Nov. 16
1 PM - Denison vs. Anderson
3:30 PM - Ohio Northern vs. Franciscan
Sunday, Nov. 17
3 PM - Two Advancing Teams From Saturday
Participating Teams
Denison University (12-1-6) (At-Large Selection – North Coast Athletic Conference)
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Denison earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament after compiling a 12-1-6 overall record. The Big Red went 6-0-2 in North Coast Athletic Conference play to finish as regular co-champions. Denison then advanced to the NCAA Tournament Championship match and earned a 1-1 draw in its matchup with DePauw University. The visiting Tigers earned the NCAC's automatic bid with a 4-1 advantage in penalty kicks. Denison holds a 7-0-6 record at Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium this fall. The Big Red is led by fifth-year head coach
Brandon Bianco, who has Denison back in the NCAA Tournament. Earlier this season, Bianco picked up his 100th career victory when Denison topped Christopher Newport on Sept. 27. The Big Red faced five teams that have qualified for the 2024 NCAA Tournament (DePauw, Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan, Otterbein, Stevens). Denison's last meeting versus Anderson came in 2007, a 4-0 victory for the Big Red.
Anderson University (8-7-5) (Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Champions)
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The Anderson University men's soccer team captured the 2024 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Tournament title after defeating Hanover College in the HCAC Tournament Championship game on Saturday in Hanover. Anderson captured the program's third HCAC Tournament crown since the program's establishment in 1989. The Ravens also secured HCAC Tournament titles in 2000 and 2002, but since Anderson's first two titles were prior to the establishment of automatic qualifiers in men's soccer, Anderson will also be making the program's first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Big Red and Ravens played three common opponents in 2024 (Wabash, Kenyon and Transylvania).
Ohio Northern Polar Bears (At-Large Selection – Ohio Athletic Conference)
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The Polar Bears obtained an at-large berth after falling in penalty kicks to eventual conference champion Otterbein University in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) semifinals last Thursday. Ohio Northern enters the tournament with a 13-3-4 overall record. The Polar Bears went 7-1-1 during regular season play in the OAC. The Big Red and Polar Bears faced four common opponents in 2024 (Ohio Wesleyan, Oberlin, Capital, Otterbein). Ryan Sommerfeld leads ONU with eight goals and seven assists. Will Shaffer has added seven goals and six assists for the Polar Bears. The Polar Bears are making their 11th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. Ohio Northern earned one of the 21 at-large bids to the tournament as they were ranked No. 19 in the final NCAA Power Index.
Franciscan University Barons (Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament Champions)
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Franciscan University enters the tournament with a 13-1-5 overall record. The Barons built a 2-0 lead by early in the second half and held off a comeback attempt to secure a 2-1 victory over Grove City College Saturday night in the 2024 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Men's Soccer Tournament Championship match and win the Barons' second league title in program history. With the win, top-seeded Franciscan also claimed the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second time. Lucas Cross leads the Barons with a whopping 20 goals this season. Franciscan has three players with nine or more goals scored in 2024. The Big Red and Barons faced four common opponents in 2024 (Capital, Kenyon, Bethany, Grove City).
