What Is 2014 WAC Men's Soccer Tournament

Overview

The 2014 WAC Men's Soccer Tournament marked the fourth edition of the conference championship since its revival in 2010 after a hiatus. Organized by the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), the tournament determined the league's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.

Hosted at Seattle University's Championship Field, the event featured six teams competing in a single-elimination format. Seattle U emerged as champions, claiming their first WAC tournament title with a dramatic 2–1 win over UC Riverside in the final.

• November 13–15, 2014: The tournament spanned three days, beginning with quarterfinals and concluding with the championship match.
• Seattle U: The host and top seed won the title, defeating UC Riverside 2–1 in the final to earn an NCAA tournament berth.
• Six teams: Participated, including Seattle U, UC Riverside, Cal State Bakersfield, UMKC, Houston Baptist, and Chicago State.
• Single-elimination format: Ensured high stakes, with each loss resulting in immediate elimination from championship contention.
• Championship Field: Located in Seattle, WA, it served as the neutral host site, though Seattle U had home-field advantage.

How It Works

The WAC Men's Soccer Tournament follows a structured playoff system to determine the conference's representative in the NCAA tournament. Teams qualify based on regular-season performance, with seeding determining matchups.

• Qualification: The top six teams in the WAC regular-season standings earned tournament berths based on conference win percentage.
• Seeding: Teams were seeded 1 through 6; Seattle U earned the top seed with a 6–1–0 conference record.
• Quarterfinals: Held on November 13, featuring seeds 3 vs. 6 and 4 vs. 5, with winners advancing to the semifinals.
• Semifinals: Played on November 14, with the top seed facing the lowest remaining seed and the other semifinal pairing the two middle seeds.
• Championship Match: Held on November 15, the winner received the WAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.
• Host Selection: The highest remaining seed hosted the semifinals and final; in 2014, Seattle U hosted as the top seed.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2014 WAC Men's Soccer Tournament with previous editions from 2011 to 2013.

The 2014 tournament marked a turning point, as Seattle U broke CSU Bakersfield’s three-year championship streak. The consistent single-elimination format and six-team structure made the competition predictable yet highly competitive, with close scores highlighting the parity in the conference.

Why It Matters

The 2014 WAC Men's Soccer Tournament was significant for both conference dynamics and team legacies, especially for Seattle U’s program development.

• First title for Seattle U: The victory marked a milestone, establishing the program as a rising force in WAC soccer.
• NCAA qualification: The win earned Seattle U an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, expanding their national exposure.
• End of Bakersfield’s dominance: CSU Bakersfield had won the previous three titles, so Seattle’s win shifted the conference balance.
• Home-field advantage: Hosting the event boosted fan engagement and provided a strategic edge during matches.
• Player development: The tournament served as a platform for athletes to showcase skills ahead of professional opportunities.
• Conference visibility: Competitive games increased media attention and strengthened the WAC's reputation in Division I soccer.

Overall, the 2014 tournament underscored the growing competitiveness of WAC men's soccer and highlighted how parity and home-field dynamics can shape postseason outcomes.