Round Rock, Texas was the site for the exciting 30th NIRSA National Soccer Championships, held November 21-23. The weather was beautiful, and the competition was as fierce as ever. In the end, it was déjà vu as our 2024 men’s champions matched an accomplishment first reached in 2022. Relive all the tournament highlights!
Tell me if you’ve heard this before: Brigham Young University won the men’s national championship. It is the program’s fifth consecutive title. BYU is building a bit of a dynasty with their sixth championship over the last seven tournaments, and their eleven overall titles is a NIRSA soccer record. Something that was different this time…they were taken near the brink and had to come back, turning the tide during the final, only to be taken back to the brink before turning the game around in the end to retain their crown.
BYU started the tournament with strong opening game showing, overpowering Nebraska-Lincoln with a 4-0 scoreline. BYU’s next two games involved somewhat contentious victories over Boston University (2-1) in their final pool play game and a narrow (1-0) win over Miami (OH) in the Round of 16. Their quarterfinal game was a more comfortable victory, with a 3-1 win over Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. The tournament-tested BYU team stormed to a 5-0 victory over Georgia Tech and the cougars seemed destined to cruise to another title. But their opponent in the final had other ideas.
BYU faced a formidable Ohio State team in the national title game. The contest was a battle for the entire match. BYU had the majority of attacking threat during the game, crafting more dangerous opportunities throughout the game. Ohio State, however, was strong defensively and counterattacked with purpose at times.
Neither team could find enough cutting edge to break through after 80 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of extra time. The national title would end up being decided by kicks from the spot. Ohio State gained an early advantage when the goalkeeper managed a save on the first kick of penalties. The advantage lasted until the fourth round when Ohio State’s kick missed skyward and blazed over the bar. BYU made their fifth kick. Ohio State then had their corresponding kick saved, sending BYU into a frenzy. However, a BYU violation led to a re-take and Ohio State tied things up through five rounds. A save of BYU’s sixth kick meant Ohio State had the title on their foot. But, the tournament’s most valuable keeper, BYU’s Chris Jenkinson, made the save go to the seventh round. Each team converted their seventh kick. BYU converted their eighth kick which put the pressure back on Ohio State. This time BYU was able to make the final save of the night and clinch the national title once again.
This year is the first time in their reign that BYU has had to face penalty kicks to win their national title. BYU’s Talmage Woodhouse was named the division’s Most Valuable Player.
The 2024 national championship game in the women’s championship division was a rematch of sorts. In 2023, UCLA won the program’s first national title, and the west coast school returned to the final this year to defend their crown. Cal Poly on the other side of the v won their first national title in 2022. In 2023, Cal Poly was in search of back-to-back titles of their own. They were thwarted in the 2023 semifinals by…UCLA. Cal Poly was looking for revenge. The final was a back-and-forth battle. Cal Poly had more of the attacking play in this year’s contest. A 71’ minute penalty was the difference in Cal Poly winning the program’s second national title in three years.
Cal Poly began their championship campaign with honors even against Georgia (1-1) in their first tie of the tournament. From there the Mustangs put in good work in convincing victories over Harvard in pool play (4-1); over UCSB in the Round of 16 (2-0); and a clean sheet victory over Colorado (1-0) in the Quarterfinals. The semifinal against Michigan was a classic defensive match. It was decided on kicks from the mark with Cal Poly advancing 6-5 after the scoreless draw.
The final against UCLA was about a team looking for revenge from the 2023 loss. Cal Poly controlled most of the match. UCLA chances were few. There was a Mustang desire that pushed through the UCLA line most of the match. They just couldn’t find a meaningful break. They created their own break, however, in the 70’ when pressure after a UCLA goal kick forced a turnover near the edge of the UCLA box. A quick pass setup Hanna Crawford for an attempt at goal. However, before she could fully strike, she was fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded. Hanna Crawford stepped up take the penalty. It was smartly taken and gave Cal Poly the lead eight minutes before full time in would prove to be enough to retain winning margin to reclaim the national championship. Paige Rightmire from Cal Poly SLO won the division’s Outstanding Goalkeeper of the tournament. Megan Go from UCLA won the division’s Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the 2024 Men’s Open Division Champions. Minnesota won their first open title in history. The Golden Gophers finished top of their pool to start their tournament off on the right foot. Minnesota had victories over San Diego State (3-2) and Boston College (3-0) in bracket play. In the final, Minnesota faced 2022 Men’s Open Champion UCLA. It was a tough, back and forth match. It ended as it started after regulation and extra time (0-0). Minnesota won the open title after kicks from the mark 8-7. Henry Elias from University of Minnesota was named the men’s open division Most Valuable Player.
The Colorado (“Black”) Buffaloes are the 2024 Women’s Open Division Champions. Colorado “Black” won their second open title in the club’s history, winning their first in 2001. Colorado “Black” won their pool. In bracket play, Colorado “Black” defeated UC Davis (2-0) and Illinois (1-0). In the final, Colorado “Black” faced Missouri in a seesaw game. Colorado “Black” scored first in the final. Missouri was able to respond in the second half. It ended tied after regulation and extra time. Colorado “Black” won the open title after kicks from the mark 4-1. Kylie Schultz from University of Colorado was the women’s open division’s Most Valuable Player.
Winning the sportsmanship awards were University of Michigan in the Women’s Division and the Weber State University in the Men’s Division. Both schools should be commended for their outstanding sporting behavior and fair play during the tournament.
To ensure student success in the classroom, NIRSA proctored exams for students at the tournament. A few highlights: NIRSA administered 13 exams from six institutions, with the longest exam taking two hours to complete. Exams were in the areas of chemistry, biology, business finance, and more. The NIRSA Championship Series is committed to student development, and the number of tests proctored in Round Rock this year just goes to show that the Series really is about more than competition!
We would like to thank our presenting sponsor Pocari Sweat for their generous sponsorship of this year’s tournament. We would also like to thank our official ball sponsor Select; our official swag sponsor Paladin; and our exclusive officiating platform provider RQ+.
A special thank you goes to the city of Round Rock for their outstanding assistance as host of the NIRSA National Soccer Championships for the last three years. We look forward to coming back to the top-notch facilities and their friendly city in the future.
The tournament staff worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth operation of the event. Thank you to all the officials and the following tournament staff:
The success of the tournament wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated efforts of the tournament staff. From directors and coordinators to on-site managers and volunteers, everyone played a crucial role in orchestrating a seamless and memorable event. So, tremendous thanks are owed to the tournament’s directors:
Laurel Hanna, University of Michigan
Chris McAlpine, University of Texas at Dallas
Alec Triggiano, University of Wisconsin Madison
Brooks Ford, Colorado State University
Cybbi Barton
Abby Van Note, University of Wisconsin Madison
Christian Ramirez, Loyola Marymount University
Max Miller, Swarthmore College
Nicole Jackson, NIRSA Staff
Lauren Carlson, NIRSA Staff
Chad McKenzie, City of Round Rock
Trae Matthews, City of Round Rock
Scott Vaculik, City of Round Rock
Shane Conti, Boston College
Jessica Cuadra, Syracuse University
Alex Pendar, University of Wisconsin – River Falls
Congratulations to all the teams and staff for making the tournament experience a wonderful one. We hope to see everyone next year at the 2025 NIRSA National Soccer Championships!
