Gannon's men's soccer team, the Golden Knights, will face defending national champion Franklin Pierce in the Elite Eight on December 2, 2023. Franklin Pierce has won all three previous meetings between the two teams. Gannon advanced to this stage after defeating Charleston in the Sweet 16. Franklin Pierce enters the match with a perfect 18-0-2 record and is the top-ranked team in Division II.

Why It Matters

This match is significant because it determines which team will advance to the Final Four of the NCAA Division II men's soccer tournament. Gannon has come a long way in the tournament and will face a tough challenge in the defending national champion.

By the Numbers
  • Franklin Pierce leads the series against Gannon 3-0-0.
  • Gannon has an 18-1-2 record, while Franklin Pierce is undefeated at 18-0-2.
  • Franklin Pierce has not lost a game since September 23, 2021, amassing a record of 49-0-4 since then.
State of Play
  • Gannon advanced to the Elite Eight by defeating Charleston 2-1 in the Sweet 16.
  • Franklin Pierce reached this stage after winning against Post 3-0 in the other regional semifinal.
What's Next

The winner of the match between Gannon and Franklin Pierce will move on to the NCAA Division II Final Four, which will take place in Matthews, North Carolina. The Final Four games are scheduled for December 7, with the championship game set for December 9.

Bottom Line

Gannon's men's soccer team faces a tough challenge against defending national champion Franklin Pierce in the Elite Eight. The outcome of this match will determine which team advances to the Final Four of the NCAA Division II tournament.