NCAA DIVISION I SOCCER

And Then There Were Eight

The NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship has officially reached the Elite Eight, with a weekend full of decisive performances, late drama, and standout individual moments across all four regions.

Furman secured their place in the quarterfinals after a thrilling 3–3 draw and a 5–4 victory in the penalty shootout against Hofstra. The match swung back and forth throughout the 90 minutes, but Furman kept their composure from the spot to seal progression.

Portland joined them in the Elite Eight by defeating Grand Canyon 1–0, with Joe Highfield scoring in the 80th minute to send the Pilots through.

Georgetown moved on after defeating High Point 2–1, opening the scoring in the 16th minute when Mitchell Baker finished a well-constructed attack. The Hoyas doubled their lead in the 41st minute as Zach Zangue struck with precision. High Point pulled one back late, with Jefferson Amaya scoring in the 89th minute, but Georgetown held firm to advance.

NC State delivered a strong performance in their 2–0 win over UNC Greensboro. The Wolfpack took the lead in the 6th minute when Taig Healy finished and they sealed the result in the 79th minute as Donavan Phillip scored. It will be the first time in 33 years that NC State has reached this stage in the tournament.

Both teams now prepare to face each other in a high-stakes Elite Eight showdown.

Akron produced one of the strongest displays of the round with a 2–0 win over Duke. The Zips were led by Canadian forward Remi Agunbiade, who scored twice. His brace sends Akron confidently into the Elite Eight.

Saint Louis advanced after a tense 2–2 draw with Bryant that was decided on penalties. The Billikens showed poise in the shootout to punch their ticket to the next round.

Washington pulled off one of the upsets of the tournament, eliminating Stanford with a 1–0 victory. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute when Charlie Kosakoff found space and fired home, securing a dramatic win.

Maryland delivered a commanding performance in their 3–0 victory over UConn. The Terrapins opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Albi Ndrenika placed a well-timed shot into the net. Their lead grew in the 38th minute as Rocket Ritarita, in excellent form during his freshman season, finished a flowing attacking sequence. Maryland sealed the match late when Luke van Heukelum scored in the 88th minute.

Ritarita continues to shine in his first collegiate campaign, now with four goals and six assists as one of the standout freshmen in the nation. He also previously played at the Atlanta United academy, where he won the MLS NEXT Cup. After that part of his young career, Ritarita joined Charlotte FC’s academy and second team.

The Elite Eight matches are scheduled to take place between Dec. 5 and 6, setting the stage for the semifinalists who will advance to Cary, North Carolina, where the 2025 Men’s College Cup will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park.

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MLS NEXT Fest Shaping Up To Be Thrilling Event

The 2025 MLS NEXT Fest is set to kick off on December 4, marking the largest youth scouting and talent-identification event in the United States. This premier winter showcase in North American youth soccer returns to Mesa, Arizona, where it will take place from Dec. 4–15.

Across 12 days, the event will feature 1,474 teams from more than 250 clubs, competing in a staggering 2,400 matches in front of over 500 professional, national team, and collegiate scouts and coaches. For many young prospects, MLS NEXT Fest is the most influential platform of the year.

The U15, U16, U17, and U19 age groups — both from the MLS NEXT Allstate Homegrown Division and the Academy Division — will compete at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa. For the first time since 2022, the U13 and U14 age groups return to MLS NEXT Fest, with games set to be played at Scottsdale Sports Complex, Bell 94 Sports Complex, and Reata Sports Complex.

This year’s edition will also include the return of the Generation Adidas Cup 2026 qualifying matches for the U15 and U16 age groups. In 2025, both groups expand from 16 to 32 teams in a single-elimination format. Each winner will receive an automatic berth to the prestigious Generation Adidas Cup 2026. The 32 teams in each age group qualify for the tournament based on their fall season rankings within their respective divisions.

During MLS NEXT Fest, each team will play three matches over four days. Matchups are determined by division, results from previous events, and regular-season MLS NEXT standings — ensuring that clubs face a variety of opponents from across the country in meaningful, competitive environments.