Published 11/16/2012 9:47:50 AM by Robert Garcia from soccermogul

The opening round of the NCAA Mens Soccer Tournament is complete and it went mostly according to plan.  The favorites took care of business for the most part, but there were a couple of upsets.

Home favorites Washington, Coastal Carolina, Xavier and Virginia all advanced as expected.  Washington knocked off the over-achievers of the Air Force Academy in a tight 1-0 match on a Michael Harris goal as they held Air Force to only a single shot on goal all night.

There were a couple of upsets though.  Most notably SMU crashed out of the tournament after losing to Winthrop in Dallas.  After a 1-1 regulation Winthrop advanced on penalty kicks winning 3-1 from the spot.  Achille Obougou send the game to overtime for Winthrop scoring in the 88th minute.

Another upset saw Old Dominion fall in penalty kicks to UMBC after a scoreless match.  St Johns of the powerful Big East also bit the dust losing to Farleigh Dickinson on an Antony Moore goal.

Sunday holds the second round matches and there are some real juicy games on tap.  Two top ten sides will face off as Washington travels to face Creighton in what should be a wonderful affair.

Local rivals Marquette will host tournament regulars Northwestern.  Marquette has been one of the surprises of the college soccer season posting a 16-3-1 record.  

Powerful New Mexico travels across the country to face ACC powers Virginia in a game that could easily go either way.  

#1 ranked Akron hosts Michigan while #2 Maryland hits the road to play Brown of the Ivy League.

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