What Is 2018 WAC Men's Soccer Tournament

Overview

The 2018 WAC Men's Soccer Tournament marked the 18th annual postseason competition to determine the Western Athletic Conference men's soccer champion. Held from November 9 to November 11, 2018, the event featured six teams competing in a single-elimination format, culminating in Seattle University claiming its second WAC title.

The tournament served as the conference’s qualifier for the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship, with the winner receiving an automatic bid. Seattle U emerged victorious in dramatic fashion, defeating Air Force 2–1 in overtime in the final, securing their spot on the national stage and highlighting the competitive depth of WAC soccer.

• November 9–11, 2018: The tournament spanned three days, beginning with quarterfinals and concluding with the championship match on November 11.
• Seattle U: The Redhawks entered as the top seed and ultimately won the title, defeating Air Force 2–1 in overtime after a 1–1 draw through regulation.
• Host site: All matches were played at Seattle U’s Championship Field, giving the top seed home-field advantage.
• Six-team format: The WAC included six eligible teams in 2018, all of which qualified for the tournament due to the conference’s small size.
• NCAA bid: The winner, Seattle U, received the WAC’s automatic qualification to the 2018 NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament, where they lost in the first round to Washington.

How It Works

The WAC Men's Soccer Tournament follows a structured single-elimination format designed to crown a conference champion and determine NCAA representation. Each participating team is seeded based on regular-season performance, with higher seeds hosting later rounds.

• Single-elimination: Teams compete in knockout matches; a loss at any stage eliminates them from contention for the title.
• Seeding: The six teams were seeded 1 through 6 based on their regular-season conference records and tiebreakers.
• Hosting rights: Higher seeds hosted all tournament matches, including semifinals and the final, providing a significant home-field advantage.
• Overtime rules: If a match was tied after 90 minutes, two 10-minute overtime periods were played, followed by penalty kicks if needed.
• NCAA qualification: The tournament champion received the WAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship, regardless of regular-season performance.
• Eligibility: All six WAC member schools with men’s soccer programs participated, as the conference did not use a cutoff for tournament qualification.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2018 WAC Men's Soccer Tournament teams based on seeding, results, and performance:

The table illustrates how regular-season performance correlated with tournament success. Seattle U’s strong defense and offensive consistency, reflected in their +7 goal differential, helped them advance. Air Force and UNLV also performed well, while lower seeds like Grand Canyon struggled to keep pace, losing by multiple goals in their opener.

Why It Matters

The 2018 WAC Men's Soccer Tournament had significant implications for player development, conference visibility, and NCAA tournament representation. It highlighted the growing competitiveness of mid-major soccer programs and provided a platform for student-athletes to showcase their talents on a broader stage.

• National exposure: The tournament gave WAC teams visibility ahead of the NCAA selection, helping programs like Seattle U gain recognition.
• Player development: Young athletes gained high-pressure experience, preparing them for professional or graduate opportunities.
• Recruiting boost: Success in the tournament enhanced the appeal of WAC schools for high school recruits.
• Conference prestige: Winning elevated the WAC’s RPI and strengthened its reputation in NCAA soccer circles.
• Financial impact: NCAA tournament appearances brought additional revenue and funding for athletic departments.
• Historical milestone: Seattle U’s second title reinforced their status as a dominant force in WAC men’s soccer history.

The 2018 tournament underscored the value of conference championships in shaping collegiate athletic legacies and advancing teams beyond the regular season.