College Soccer: A Wild Opening Weekend In Division I

ByNick Pavelec

3 min read

College Soccer: A Wild Opening Weekend In Division I

Men's Division 1 soccer has seen quite the toss up in the last couple of years. With perennial champions Stanford, succumbing to a few lackluster seasons, the throne was for the taking.

Marshall stepped up to that challenged and knocked off powerhouse Indiana University to claim its first ever NCAA championship last year. Thus, it was no shock that the preseason Division 1 rankings had Marshall at 1, and Indiana at 2.

If you're curious about our thoughts on the preseason rankings, here is a separate article. Yet rankings were meant to be shaken up, and boy were they this weekend, lets get into the highlights.


RELATED ARTICLE: Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s College Soccer Preseason Rankings


Down Goes #1 Marshall

Marshall, Last year champs, took a tough loss this past weekend, losing to #15 Virginia Tech 3-2. After being ranked #1 in the preseason poll, and returning a multitude of players.

It appeared as though Marshall were set to make another historic season. This loss is an incredibly hard pill to swallow, as the Virginia Tech team earlier that week had tied an unranked university of Missouri Kansas City team.

Obviously Marshall has plenty of talent, but this opener however is not a good sign, and could indicate a rough road ahead.


#3 Pitt Losses its Opener

Another massive shake-up in the Top 5 ! #3 Pitt, who is coming off a solid Season with a 2020 NCAA tournament run that was just cut short, was beaten 2-1 by an unranked West Virginia team.

While it is well known that West Virginia is fantastic at home, this still is not a good look for Pitt. While it could be season starting rust,  they don't have a lot of room for error.

As the ACC is stacked with great schools like Clemson, Wake Forest, and North Carolina, all of which were ranked top 10 in the preseason's coaches poll.


RELATED ARTICLE: America's soccer stars don't play in college. Is the NCAA to blame?


Stanford Continues to Struggles

Stanford has struggled to recapture its success from earlier in the decade, and its struggles continued on opening weekend. Even though they were ranked number 8 in this season's preseason poll.

Stanford fell short in its home opener, losing to unranked SMU. This early season struggle is nothing new for recent Stanford Teams, however in order to get back to the glory day's, they're going to have to come out strong next weekend.


Georgetown Looks Strong  

While a lot of the top 10 appeared to be shaken up, Georgetown remained firm and proved itself this weekend. Taking a handed victory 3-0 over #23 Fordham this past weekend, and will likely take the #1 spot in next weeks coaches polls.

After winning it all in 2019, it appears early on like Georgetown is looking like a strong candidate to regain the title.


What to Watch for This Week

With such a drastic shake up of the top 5 this weekend, there are storylines all over the place for this upcoming week.

The most pressing is how does Marshall respond to a loss.On Thursday they play 25th ranked Costal Carolina, a divisional opponent and one that Marshall must beat in order to show they are still contenders.

On the flip side of the coin, Virginia Tech can prove itself to be a legitimate contender this weekend, as they play 13th UCF this upcoming weekend. This is a fantastic opportunity for Virginia Tech to carve itself out as a big player in the ACC this year.

Along with all this shakeup, lets see how this weekend fairs for some of the other high ranking programs. Teams such as Clemson, Indiana, and North Carolina all had great opening weekends. With upset in the air however, it will be interesting to see how long some of these staple programs can remain undefeated.


All of this being said, I think its safe to say that Division 1 Soccer is one of the most exciting and exhilarating sports to watch this fall. Regardless of who you root for, its going to be a wild ride.

RELATED ARTICLES
Sports Apps: The Future of Sports Engagement and Fan Interaction

Sports Apps: The Future of Sports Engagement and Fan Interaction

In the increasingly digital world we live in, it comes as no surprise that sports engagement and...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Aug 24 2023
Artificial Intelligence: A Game-Changer for the Sports Industry

Artificial Intelligence: A Game-Changer for the Sports Industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the board, revolutionizing the way...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Aug 21 2023
USA Football: Two NFL Teams To Provide Coach Certification To Support Youth Football

USA Football: Two NFL Teams To Provide Coach Certification To Support Youth Football

The Indianapolis Colts and the Cleveland Browns have announced their support for USA Football's...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu May 04 2023
Ontario Volleyball Association: February/March - News and Updates

Ontario Volleyball Association: February/March - News and Updates

A new season means new events and opportunities for volleyball athletes across Canada. As the...

ByOVA Team Ontario | Thu Mar 30 2023
Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

The sports industry is undergoing rapid change, putting pressure on organizations to keep pace. To...

ByJoey Grant | Mon Feb 06 2023
College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

Many soccer athletes across the United States aspire to play their sport at the college level, and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 26 2022
What is a 'Draw'? And Why Ties Still Exist in the World's Most Popular Sport

What is a 'Draw'? And Why Ties Still Exist in the World's Most Popular Sport

When it comes to the growing popularity of soccer in the United States, perhaps one of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 23 2022
Do They Have High School Sports In European Countries?

Do They Have High School Sports In European Countries?

Unlike the United States, European countries do not have high school athletics. It is a completely...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 22 2022
Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

They’re one of the most crucial aspects to a college sports viewing experience. The players?...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Nov 21 2022
Soccer Coaching: The four most popular formations and why they work

Soccer Coaching: The four most popular formations and why they work

In soccer, formations define the different positions on the field taken by each player of a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Nov 18 2022
Four Of The Most Important Skills Every Soccer Goalkeeper Has To Develop

Four Of The Most Important Skills Every Soccer Goalkeeper Has To Develop

Goalkeepers are really the only ones on the field who you can't compete without. Don't have a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 16 2022
How To Play Division-I College Football: Four Requirements For Every Athlete

How To Play Division-I College Football: Four Requirements For Every Athlete

It is no secret that it is often a young football athlete's dream to play their favorite sport at...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Nov 14 2022
Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Part two of some of the best division 1 college football game day traditions throughout the United...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

One of the best parts about college football are the traditions that have been around for decades....

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
Transfer Portal: Does Every Athlete Who Transfers Find A New College To Play For?

Transfer Portal: Does Every Athlete Who Transfers Find A New College To Play For?

On the 15th of October, 2018 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) introduced a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 19 2022
Why Is Boise State’s Football Field Blue?

Why Is Boise State’s Football Field Blue?

Some of college football’s most daunting homefield advantages come to mind pretty quickly. The Big...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Oct 11 2022
Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Soccer Recruiting: What College Coaches Look For In High School Recruits

Realistically, soccer coaches and managers look out for different things in soccer players during...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Sep 28 2022
What are "Guarantee Games" in College Football?

What are "Guarantee Games" in College Football?

As the 2022 college football season gets underway, there are many behemoth matchups on the calendar...

ByAndrew Pistone | Sun Sep 25 2022
College Sports: How To Pick The Right School To Attend

College Sports: How To Pick The Right School To Attend

Picking the right college can be a tough task for any high school senior, but it can be a unique...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Fri Sep 23 2022
Is playing College Soccer the best route to making the MLS?

Is playing College Soccer the best route to making the MLS?

Earlier this month, we witnessed the 2021 Major League...

ByJohnathan Wright | Sat Sep 17 2022
What CFB Programs Are Developing The Most NFL Talent At Each Position

What CFB Programs Are Developing The Most NFL Talent At Each Position

More than most sports, the fundamentals of Football change greatly depending on which position you...

ByAria Modirmassihai | Fri Sep 16 2022
2022 College Football Cheat Sheet: Who Will Finish On Top In The Big Ten

2022 College Football Cheat Sheet: Who Will Finish On Top In The Big Ten

It's not the flashiest conference, nor is it the most talented, but Big Ten football offers...

ByBryan Armetta | Mon Sep 05 2022
College Sports: What To Expect When You Arrive On Campus

College Sports: What To Expect When You Arrive On Campus

College is an exciting transition to go through for any student, athlete or not. And there is no...

ByJacob Rimmer | Thu Sep 01 2022
5 Tips To Help Get Recruited To Play College Soccer

5 Tips To Help Get Recruited To Play College Soccer

The college soccer recruiting process can be extremely competitive, and unfortunately, it does not...

ByJohnathan Wright | Mon Aug 29 2022
College Football: Four Of The Best College Towns In Division-I

College Football: Four Of The Best College Towns In Division-I

What makes a college sports town great? It certainly helps to eat, live and breathe the experience...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Aug 22 2022
College Soccer: Explaining how the best collegiate players turn professional

College Soccer: Explaining how the best collegiate players turn professional

For soccer players who want to play professionally, the path differs greatly from other major...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Aug 03 2022
Ranking the Five Best Division II Football Conferences

Ranking the Five Best Division II Football Conferences

While most fans are familiar with the prestigious football schools of the NCAA's Division I, the...

ByBryan Armetta | Thu Jul 28 2022
Soccer Coaching: What is each position in soccer responsible for?

Soccer Coaching: What is each position in soccer responsible for?

A proper soccer team will function at an optimal level when players in the team's setup understand...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Jul 16 2022
Women's Gymnastics Development Program: How To Get Started With Team USA

Women's Gymnastics Development Program: How To Get Started With Team USA

If you are a part of the gymnastics world, people often ask questions like, " Exactly how wide is...

ByTiana Schoney | Thu Jul 07 2022
Is USC Football Finally Back? Recapping Lincoln Riley's First Spring As Trojans Head Coach

Is USC Football Finally Back? Recapping Lincoln Riley's First Spring As Trojans Head Coach

We hear about 'culture changes' in college football all the time; one-season turnarounds ushered in...

ByBryan Armetta | Fri Jun 17 2022
Where to find the most Division III football championships

Where to find the most Division III football championships

At nearly 500 miles apart, two small Midwestern cities play host to a pair of college campuses. At...

ByBrice Odel | Thu Jun 16 2022
Recruiting: Why does Division-I Basketball have the most teams of any sport?

Recruiting: Why does Division-I Basketball have the most teams of any sport?

Athletes looking to move onto a DI college or university have the best chance if they play...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Jun 15 2022
2022 College Football Conference Preview: Who The Favorites Are In The SEC

2022 College Football Conference Preview: Who The Favorites Are In The SEC

S-E-C! S-E-C! S-E-C! It's a chant embraced by the South and universally reviled everywhere else....

ByBryan Armetta | Thu Jun 09 2022
What Is 7-on-7 Football? And Why It Is The Best Offseason Activity

What Is 7-on-7 Football? And Why It Is The Best Offseason Activity

Another cold, barren football offseason is now upon us. As the Los Angeles Rams lifted the Lombardi...

ByBryan Armetta | Sun May 01 2022
NFL Draft: Three Pro Prospects To Watch For From Small-Schools

NFL Draft: Three Pro Prospects To Watch For From Small-Schools

Defining the term "small-school sleeper" can be difficult. Is it a future Hall of Famer like Jerry...

ByBryan Armetta | Wed Apr 27 2022
How to Perform a Free Kick  Like The Pros: Step By Step Guide

How to Perform a Free Kick Like The Pros: Step By Step Guide

Scoring a free kick or utilizing it effectively can be the deciding factor in who wins a match. So...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Apr 19 2022
America's soccer stars don't play in college. Is the NCAA to blame?

America's soccer stars don't play in college. Is the NCAA to blame?

It’s no secret that the way the US treats the development of its athletes is significantly...

ByAria Modirmassihai | Fri Apr 15 2022
Are The Kansas Jayhawks Next To Fly The Coop In Conference Realignment?

Are The Kansas Jayhawks Next To Fly The Coop In Conference Realignment?

College sports has had another topsy turvy summer with regards to major college sports programs...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Apr 05 2022
Why Jacksonville State Football is becoming so popular

Why Jacksonville State Football is becoming so popular

Fueled by an invitation to leave the Division-I FCS and join college football's highest level, the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Feb 20 2022
Beach Volleyball and Ice Hockey Championship Bracket Updates

Beach Volleyball and Ice Hockey Championship Bracket Updates

Everywhere sports fans turn, it seems like more teams are being allowed to compete for titles. The...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Jan 20 2022
Women's Gymnastics: Interview with Division III Head Coach, Kasey Crawford

Women's Gymnastics: Interview with Division III Head Coach, Kasey Crawford

University of Wisconsin La-Crosse [https://uwlathletics.com/sports/womens-gymnastics] has one of...

ByTiana Schoney | Tue Jan 04 2022
College Soccer: Breaking Down UCLA Forward Reilyn Turner’s NIL Deal With Nike

College Soccer: Breaking Down UCLA Forward Reilyn Turner’s NIL Deal With Nike

Some thought it might’ve been the University of Alabama’s football star Bryce Young. Other might...

ByAndrew Pistone | Fri Dec 31 2021
How Cincinnati Made The College Football Playoff: A Look At How The Bearcats Got So Good

How Cincinnati Made The College Football Playoff: A Look At How The Bearcats Got So Good

It’s been one of the most memorable stories we’ve had in recent college football history. The...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Dec 16 2021
Women's Soccer: Which Division-I College Teams Could Make A Late Run

Women's Soccer: Which Division-I College Teams Could Make A Late Run

Let's talk Women's College Soccer. As the fall continues on the soccer season is getting more and...

ByLily Ford | Thu Oct 28 2021
Which 3 Teams Can Win The Division I Men’s Soccer Championship?

Which 3 Teams Can Win The Division I Men’s Soccer Championship?

NCAA men’s soccer has kicked off within the past several weeks, and there are a bunch of very...

ByAndrew Pistone | Sun Oct 24 2021
Men's Soccer: Top Division-I Players Who Found Success Early In The Season

Men's Soccer: Top Division-I Players Who Found Success Early In The Season

After this week of men's soccer there were some outstanding players that made it out of the herd...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Fri Oct 22 2021
The Top Women’s College Volleyball Players To Watch This Year

The Top Women’s College Volleyball Players To Watch This Year

NCAA Division I women’s volleyball is off to a flying start. As outlined in this...

ByAndrew Pistone | Fri Oct 22 2021
How Will Additional Days Affect Three Women’s NCAA Playoff Competitions?

How Will Additional Days Affect Three Women’s NCAA Playoff Competitions?

The NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee has been busy recently, as they’ve announced...

ByAndrew Pistone | Fri Oct 08 2021
What Is The Knight Commission? And How Can It Redistribute College Sports Revenue?

What Is The Knight Commission? And How Can It Redistribute College Sports Revenue?

If there’s a lightning rod pairing of topics that goes hand in hand in college sports, in the NCAA...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Oct 05 2021
St. Thomas Athletics Gets Its First Taste of Division I

St. Thomas Athletics Gets Its First Taste of Division I

The most publicized jumps in sports usually center around when high school athletes head directly...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Sep 30 2021