The Big Ten Conference brought their cleats and passion to SeatGeek Stadium’s field on November 7th and 10th for their Men’s Soccer Tournament Quarterfinals and Semifinals respectively. The top conference teams played five exhilarating and fiercely competitive games over the course of the two days, with multiple games going into overtime. A standout performance in the Quarterfinals came in the second game of the day, with UCLA’s Bruins putting on both an offensive and defensive masterclass against Maryland’s terrapins. A truly dominant performance by UCLA ended the game with a staggering 6-0 score, showing that they didn’t just come to win the match—they came to win the tournament.
A full day of soccer resulted in only the best of the best moving on to the Semifinals. The University of Michigan defeated Indiana in game 1, UCLA trounced Maryland in game 2, and Washington eked out a win in penalty kicks against Michigan state.
The Semifinals proved to be even more intense than the Quarterfinals. UCLA, coming hot off their win, met their match in the ironclad defense of the University of Michigan. With neither team gaining the edge in the standard match nor the two ten-minute overtime periods, the players lined up for the tie-breaking penalty kicks. Michigan’s Wolverines bared their fangs, finally scoring against UCLA who couldn’t return the favor.
Ohio State had meanwhile been comfortably waiting in the wings for a worthy opponent after receiving their Semifinals spot as a reward for their status as number one in the league during the regular season. When Washington rolled up after winning their first game via penalty kicks, Ohio State went to work. Despite a solid first-half defense, Washington eventually slipped up, and a second-half penalty kick by Ohio State resulted in a goal that pierced through both the net and the morale of Washington. Withing minutes Ohio State scored again, and the two-goal deficit proved too difficult for Washington’s one goal to overcome. The number one seed demonstrated that winning a Quarterfinals game in overtime penalty kicks doesn’t mean you can challenge the best, ending the Semifinals in professional fashion.
After another successful soccer tournament hosting teams from around the country, SeatGeek Stadium continues to serve as the heart of Midwestern soccer, a national soccer destination, and an international sports venue.
