by Jac Coyne | MCLA.us

ROUND ROCK, Texas – It all kicks of tomorrow morning at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex with the opening round of the 2022 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance.

Here’s a nickel preview of Monday’s Division I action.

D-I: No. 16 Boise State vs. No. 1 Virginia Tech on Monday at 10:45 a.m. Who advances? #mcla22
— 2022 MCLA National Tourney (@MCLA_Tournament) May 6, 2022

No. 16 Boise State vs. No. 1 Virginia Tech, 10:45 a.m.
Since 2001 when the Division I bracket expanded to 16 teams, the top seeds are 19-0 with the closest shave coming in 2012 when Cal Poly subdued Minn.-Duluth, 10-9, in overtime. With the way the Hokies are playing right now, you could slot just about anyone into the 16th-spot and still assume the number will go to 20-0. With that said, the Broncos are not like some of the tomato cans of years past. Ryan Henning is an under-the-radar star at attack and they have a capable defense.

D-I: No. 15 Texas Christian vs. No. 2 Brigham Young on Monday at 10:45 a.m. Who advances? #mcla22
— 2022 MCLA National Tourney (@MCLA_Tournament) May 6, 2022

No. 15 Texas Christian vs. No. 2 Brigham Young, 10:45 a.m.
The Horned Frogs have a quality faceoff man in J.T. Macedo, an above average goalie in Carter Schubert and a dangerous, 6-foot-5, two-way middie in Matthew Lockman – all freshmen, by the way – so they have some important positions covered. It’ll be BYU's depth at all positions that will stress TCU from the jump. Strange things can happen with a hot goalie and dominant FOGO, but it might take record-setting performances from both Schubert and Macedo for the Frogs to advance.

D-I: No. 14 Arizona vs. No. 3 South Carolina on Monday at 11 a.m. Who advances? #mcla22
— 2022 MCLA National Tourney (@MCLA_Tournament) May 7, 2022

No. 14 Arizona vs. No. 3 South Carolina, 11 a.m.
The Wildcats were the last team into the tournament, so in many ways they are happy to be here. Zona is no stocking-stuffer, however. Mason DePoala is an elite attackman and there is plenty of talent to spook anyone. Remember, the ‘Cats beat Chapman and Grand Canyon. On the other side, South Carolina enters as hot as any team in the country with the possible exception of Virginia Tech – and the Gamecocks handed the Hokies their only loss. The speed and determination have been on display for Carolina, so Arizona will have to match it.

D-I: No. 13 Florida vs. No. 4 Minnesota on Monday at 11 a.m. Who advances? #mcla22
— 2022 MCLA National Tourney (@MCLA_Tournament) May 7, 2022

No. 13 Florida vs. No. 4 Minnesota, 11 a.m.
Florida tumbled during in the seeding process, meaning Minnesota didn’t get any discounts after putting together a 17-0 season. The Gators can roll two quality midfeld lines at their opponents and the balanced scoring is a defensive coordinator’s nightmare. Throw in an experienced goalie like Matt Corazon and Florida is actually a discounted eight seed. Nate Graslewicz anchors a prolific attack unit for the Gophers and the midfield is rugged. Neither team has a recent tradition with postseason play, so this will be just a big of a test for the coaches as it for the players.

D-I: No. 12 Cal Poly vs. No. 5 Clemson on Monday at 1:45 p.m. Who advances? #mcla22
— 2022 MCLA National Tourney (@MCLA_Tournament) May 7, 2022

No. 12 Cal Poly vs. No. 5 Clemson, 1:45 p.m.
The Mustangs had an up-and-down regular season and put things together down the stretch. The Tigers started out gangbusters, but cooled off in the last month. That makes for an intriguing matchup. Clemson still boasts the Furman contingent, which is an excellent bunch. Luke Mikolajewski has been carrying the ‘Stangs on the offensive end while Garret Brennan is still a monster up front for the Tigers. Goalie play will be something to watch.

D-I: No. 11 Grand Canyon vs. No. 6 Liberty on Monday at 1:45 p.m. Who advances? #mcla22
— 2022 MCLA National Tourney (@MCLA_Tournament) May 7, 2022

No. 11 Grand Canyon vs. No. 6 Liberty, 1:45 p.m.
This should be a great tactical matchup featuring a pair of quality coaching staffs. Grand Canyon had a near-miss in the SLC championship game after dumping Concordia, while Liberty is stumbling into the tourney after getting bounced in the ALC semifinals. Momentum is important, and it looks like the Lopes have a little bit more. Liberty’s Carter Elliott will have to be accounted for while Ryan Reynolds has the potential to be a game-changer in net. GCU will lean on its salty defense led by rookies Jake Hives (goalie) and Matt James (pole). The lower the score, the better for the Lopes. Vice versa for the Flames.

D-I: No. 10 Boston College vs. No. 7 USC on Monday at 1:30 p.m. Who advances? #mcla22
— 2022 MCLA National Tourney (@MCLA_Tournament) May 7, 2022

No. 10 Boston College vs. No. 7 USC, 1:30 p.m.
The Trojans are making their first trip to nationals, and they certainly didn’t get any bargains. Boston College has numerous quality wins and are used to the logistics of travel and prepping for multiple games in limited time. Defense is the Eagles milieu, backstopped by Zachary Yorio. Brendan Cooper is an athletic LSM and Justin Keith is a lockdown pole. USC likes to score, and they do frequently with the attack trio of Antoine Moats, Garrett Kuntz and Jack Watters, who have combined for 122 points. Michael Smat has gotten hot in the cage for the Trojans, as well. This is a very similar matchup as GCU-Liberty. Low score favors BC, etc.

D-I: No. 9 Concordia-Irvine vs. No. 8 Georgia Tech on Monday at 1:30 p.m. Who advances? #mcla22
— 2022 MCLA National Tourney (@MCLA_Tournament) May 7, 2022

No. 9 Concordia-Irvine vs. No. 8 Georgia Tech, 1:30 p.m.
A couple of weeks ago, I would have guessed a matchup between these heavyweights would be a No. 4-5 quarterfinal tilt. Your luck can change just that quick in this town. In that same vein, a couple of weeks ago, I would have predicted a grinder with high-end goalies and defenses. But South Carolina hung a 17-burger on the Yellow Jackets in the SELC title game and the Eagles gave up 14 to Chapman. Cade Poe gives Concordia-Irvine and advantage at the dot while Sam Eck hands the Wreck the edge in the midfield. The goalies are a push. This is a one-goal game, as you’d expect out of your 8-9.