In an effort to track the stars of tomorrow before they hit the big time, MLSsoccer.com is excited to introduce new college and youth soccer coverage, coming at you several times a week. We’ll kick things off with a round up of some of the biggest college games to follow this weekend, including a meeting of the top two teams in the nation according to the NSCAA Rankings.
Friday, Sept. 24
No. 10 Boston College (4-0-2) vs. No. 11 Duke Blue Devils (3-1-2), 7 p.m. ET
The Blue Devils jump back into ACC play, with the nation’s leading scorer Ryan Finley leading the line against the Eagles. Charlie Rugg and Conor Fitzpatrick lead BC, who have started brightly this year and look to make a statement to the rest of the ACC on the road.
No. 24 South Florida Bulls (4-1-1) vs. No. 6 Connecticut Huskies (5-0-1), 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
A resurgent Connecticut side, led by outstanding freshman Mamadou Doudou Diouf, and open their Big East schedule against fellow top 25-ranked South Florida. The Bulls made noise earlier this season, knocking off No. 1 Akron in an exhibition game prior to the start of the season, and have enjoyed a strong start with contributions from midfielder Bernardo Anor and goalie Jeff Attinella
No. 5 Maryland Terrapins (3-1-1) at No. 3 North Carolina Tar Heels (3-1-0), 7:30 p.m. ET
A tussle of the two highest-ranked ACC squads meet up in Chapel Hill, in what should be one of the best college matches of the season. Injury problems have been a problem for the Tar Heels early on, losing preseason All-American Billy Schuler to shoulder surgery. Both Maryland and UNC have bounced back from early-season losses, and if this one ends with a winner it will translate into an early lead in the ACC standings.
No. 1 Akron Zips (5-0-0) vs. No. 2 Tulsa Golden Hurricane (5-0-0), 8 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel
The stakes won’t be any higher anywhere else this weekend, as the top two teams in the nation meet at Lee Jackson Field in Akron, Ohio. As impressive as the Zips offense has been this season, their defense has been better – Akron is out to equal the NCAA record for shutouts, going for their 11th straight Friday evening. Keep an eye on Akron’s senior midfielder Anthony Ampaipitakwong, who is a mouthful to pronounce and a handful for the opposition.
No. 13 UCLA Bruins (4-1-1) vs. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (2-2-2), 10 p.m. ET
A poor start to the 2010 season for the Gauchos – going winless in their first four games – put a damper on title ambitions. After upsetting Harvard in the Lobo Tournament in New Mexico, UCSB welcomes UCLA on campus in a bid to get their season back on track. The matchup might not carry as much luster as it has in the past, but with the College Cup going to be hosted by UCSB, both sides will be angling for early success.
Saturday, Sept. 25
No. 12 St. John’s Red Storm (5-1-0) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-2-2), noon ET
St. John’s has recovered from a big 5-0 loss at the University of Virginia to win four in a row. The Red Storm now take to the road for the first of four straight games, with a slow-starting Notre Dame providing a rematch of the 2009 Big East title game. The Fighting Irish, fielding US U-20 midfielder Dillon Powers, haven’t managed a consistent stretch yet with conference play closing in.
Loyola College (Md.) (1-3-1) vs. No. 4 Monmouth Hawks (6-0-0), 4 p.m. ET
If you haven’t heard of Ryan Kinne and the Monmouth Hawks, get used to seeing them near the top of the standings. The Hawks have shot up from No. 15 to their current No. 4 spot in the NSCAA Rankings, conceding just three goals in their first five games while also winning all six games. Loyola is a final matchup before Monmouth hits their Northeast Conference schedule.
