What Is 2013 Big East Men's Soccer Tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Big East Men's Soccer Tournament was held from November 8–10, 2013, with the University of Connecticut defeating Georgetown 1–0 in the final to win its first title. The tournament determined the Big East Conference's automatic bid to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.

Key Facts

The 2013 Big East Men's Soccer Tournament occurred from November 8–10, 2013
Connecticut won the championship by defeating Georgetown 1–0 in the final
The tournament featured 8 teams from the restructured Big East Conference
All games were played at the home field of the higher seed
UConn earned the Big East's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament

Overview

The 2013 Big East Men's Soccer Tournament marked the inaugural postseason competition for the newly restructured Big East Conference following major realignment in college athletics. Held from November 8 to 10, 2013, it featured the top eight teams from the regular season standings competing in a single-elimination format.

This tournament was significant as it determined which team would represent the Big East in the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship. The champion earned the conference's automatic bid, making it a crucial event for postseason qualification.

Eight teams qualified for the tournament based on their regular-season conference records, with seeding determined by points earned.
The tournament began on November 8, 2013, with four first-round matches hosted by the higher-seeded teams at their home campuses.
UConn advanced as the #3 seed, defeating #6 seed Seton Hall 2–1 in the quarterfinals before facing #2 seed Georgetown in the semifinals.
Georgetown reached the final after defeating #7 seed Villanova 3–0, while UConn beat #2 seed Louisville 1–0 in overtime to advance.
The championship match was held on November 10, 2013, where UConn defeated Georgetown 1–0 to claim its first Big East title.

How It Works

The 2013 Big East Men's Soccer Tournament followed a structured single-elimination format with specific hosting rules and qualification criteria. Below are key terms and processes that governed the competition.

Qualification: The top eight teams from the Big East regular-season standings qualified. Teams earned points based on wins (3 points) and ties (1 point).
Seeding: Teams were seeded 1 through 8 based on conference points. Tiebreakers included head-to-head results and goal difference.
Hosting: Higher-seeded teams hosted all matches at their home fields, giving them a significant advantage in crowd support and field familiarity.
Match Format: All games were 90-minute regulation matches. If tied, teams played two 10-minute overtime periods followed by penalty kicks if necessary.
Championship Prize: The winner received the Big East's automatic bid to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship, ensuring national tournament participation.
UConn's Victory: The Huskies won the final 1–0 over Georgetown on a goal by Andre Shinyashiki in the 81st minute, securing their first conference title since joining the Big East.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 Big East Men's Soccer Tournament compared to previous editions and other major conferences in structure and outcomes:

Conference	Tournament Format	Teams	Host Sites	Auto Bid to NCAA?
Big East (2013)	Single-elimination	8	Higher seed's home field	Yes
ACC	Single-elimination	12	Neutral site (Soccer Park, Cary, NC)	Yes
Big Ten	Single-elimination	6	Campus sites (higher seed)	Yes
SEC	Single-elimination	8	Higher seed's home field	Yes
Big East (2012)	Not held (pre-realignment)	N/A	N/A	No

The 2013 tournament was notable as the first under the new Big East structure after the 2013 split between football and non-football schools. Unlike the ACC, which used a neutral site, the Big East relied on campus hosting, similar to the Big Ten and SEC. This format emphasized regular-season performance by rewarding higher seeds with home-field advantage, increasing competitive fairness and fan engagement.

Why It Matters

The 2013 Big East Men's Soccer Tournament had lasting implications for the conference and its member institutions, particularly in terms of NCAA visibility and program development.

UConn's championship elevated its national profile, helping the program attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent seasons.
The tournament showcased the competitive depth of the restructured Big East, proving it remained a powerhouse in college soccer.
Georgetown’s runner-up finish contributed to its strong NCAA at-large bid despite the loss, highlighting the conference’s strength.
Hosting games on campus boosted local attendance and revenue for participating schools, enhancing fan engagement.
The event helped establish a new tradition for the post-2013 Big East, differentiating it from the old football-playing conference.
It demonstrated the value of regular-season performance, as seeding directly impacted home-field advantage and tournament success.

The 2013 tournament set a precedent for future Big East soccer competitions, reinforcing the importance of conference unity and athletic excellence in the post-realignment era.