Indiana University Athletics
No. 13 IU, No. 12 UNCG Battle for College Cup Berth
12/2/2022 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Indiana men's soccer can clinch an NCAA College Cup berth on Saturday.
The No. 13-seeded Hoosiers (12-4-6, 3-1-4 B1G) will face No. 12 UNC Greensboro on Saturday (Dec. 3) at UNCG Soccer Stadium in an Elite 8 matchup that is set to kick off at 5 p.m. ET.
Fans can stream the match via the ESPN+ digital platform.
SETTING THE SCENE
• Indiana is playing in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament for the 28th time in program history, an NCAA record. It's also IU's fourth Elite 8 appearance in the last six seasons.
• UNC Greensboro, meanwhile, is making its Elite 8 debut after earning the program's first national seed this season. The No. 12-seeded Spartans will play host to No. 13 Indiana for a spot in the NCAA College Cup.
• This Hoosier team is no stranger to big-time matchups, having played 10 ranked opponents this season and earning a 6-1-3 record in those contests.
• IU is coming off a pair of 1-0, shutout wins to start its 2022 NCAA Tournament run. After receiving the first-round bye, the Hoosiers beat Saint Louis in the second round before topping
Marshall on Sunday.
• With his assist to Brett Bebej's game-winning goal against Marshall, redshirt senior Ryan Wittenbrink recorded his seventh straight start with a goal contribution (three goals, four assists).
ABOUT THE SPARTANS
• UNC Greensboro comes into the match with a 13-1-6 record and a 4-0-1 mark in Southern Conference play. The Spartans beat Ohio State and No. 5-seed Stanford to advance to the Elite 8, needing penalty kicks to decide each match.
• The Spartans earned the program's first national seed this season while making their 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
• UNCG's lone loss came at Campbell on September 21, and The Spartans are undefeated in 12 matches since.
• The Spartans are led by fourth-year head coach Chris Rich, who has compiled a 44-17-10 record at UNCG in his first head coaching gig.
• Five Spartans have tallied double-digit points this season, with three of tallying more than 20 points. Fifth-year forward Marco Afonso leads the group with 24 points on eight goals and eight assists. Graduate student forward Ismail El Harchi has a team-high 10 goals, while sophomore midfielder J.C. Ngando is tops in assists with 14.
SERIES HISTORY
• Saturday's match will mark the first-ever meeting between Indiana and UNC Greensboro.
@IndianaMSOC
For all the latest on Indiana University men's soccer, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaMSOC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
The No. 13-seeded Hoosiers (12-4-6, 3-1-4 B1G) will face No. 12 UNC Greensboro on Saturday (Dec. 3) at UNCG Soccer Stadium in an Elite 8 matchup that is set to kick off at 5 p.m. ET.
Fans can stream the match via the ESPN+ digital platform.
SETTING THE SCENE
• Indiana is playing in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament for the 28th time in program history, an NCAA record. It's also IU's fourth Elite 8 appearance in the last six seasons.
• UNC Greensboro, meanwhile, is making its Elite 8 debut after earning the program's first national seed this season. The No. 12-seeded Spartans will play host to No. 13 Indiana for a spot in the NCAA College Cup.
• This Hoosier team is no stranger to big-time matchups, having played 10 ranked opponents this season and earning a 6-1-3 record in those contests.
• IU is coming off a pair of 1-0, shutout wins to start its 2022 NCAA Tournament run. After receiving the first-round bye, the Hoosiers beat Saint Louis in the second round before topping
Marshall on Sunday.
• With his assist to Brett Bebej's game-winning goal against Marshall, redshirt senior Ryan Wittenbrink recorded his seventh straight start with a goal contribution (three goals, four assists).
ABOUT THE SPARTANS
• UNC Greensboro comes into the match with a 13-1-6 record and a 4-0-1 mark in Southern Conference play. The Spartans beat Ohio State and No. 5-seed Stanford to advance to the Elite 8, needing penalty kicks to decide each match.
• The Spartans earned the program's first national seed this season while making their 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
• UNCG's lone loss came at Campbell on September 21, and The Spartans are undefeated in 12 matches since.
• The Spartans are led by fourth-year head coach Chris Rich, who has compiled a 44-17-10 record at UNCG in his first head coaching gig.
• Five Spartans have tallied double-digit points this season, with three of tallying more than 20 points. Fifth-year forward Marco Afonso leads the group with 24 points on eight goals and eight assists. Graduate student forward Ismail El Harchi has a team-high 10 goals, while sophomore midfielder J.C. Ngando is tops in assists with 14.
SERIES HISTORY
• Saturday's match will mark the first-ever meeting between Indiana and UNC Greensboro.
@IndianaMSOC
For all the latest on Indiana University men's soccer, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaMSOC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's SoccerWednesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 12
Tuesday, August 11
Tuesday, August 11