What to know about the DII men’s soccer semifinals

Just three matches remain in the 2023 DII men’s soccer championship. Franklin Pierce is still in the hunt, looking to become the first repeat champion since Southern Connecticut State did it in 1998-99, a feat accomplished just twice in the history of the sport. Two of the three schools remaining are looking to make program history by winning their first DII men’s soccer national championship ever.

Here’s a look at the four teams still alive in the national semifinals that move to the neutral site of Sportsplex at Matthews in Matthews, NC on Dec. 7.

TOURNEY TIME

What to know about the DII men’s soccer championship semifinalists

No. 1 Franklin Pierce

Oct. 23, 2001. That was the last time the Ravens lost. Franklin Pierce was eliminated from the 2021 DII men’s soccer championship on penalty kicks, but the last time someone flat-out beat the defending national champions was more than two calendar years ago. 

The Ravens come into the semifinals sitting at 19-0-2. They entered the tournament with the fourth-best scoring offense in DII men’s soccer, the third-most assists per game, the third-most points per game, and the fourth-best scoring differential. But Franklin Pierce is not all offense: The Ravens have not allowed a goal thus far in the postseason, defeating Bloomsburg 3-0, Post 3-0, and Gannon 1-0. Right now, defenses may want to focus on Aaron Sanchez Sanchez who has three goals in the past two games, including the game-winner versus Gannon. Younes Addar Khanoussi has the most goals  (19) of any player remaining in the tournament, so there’s another player defenses have to contend with. What’s the best way to beat Franklin Pierce? Well, we’ll let you know when it happens. 

As a reminder, as pointed out in the DII men’s soccer championship preview, the winner of Super Region 1 has reached the championship match in each of the past six seasons. That bodes well for a team that hasn’t lost in two years. 

No. 2 Florida Tech

The Panthers are going to party like it’s 1993. That was the last time Florida Tech made it this far in the tournament. The Panthers are making their fifth trip to the national semifinals and looking for its third national championship, having won it in 1988 and 1991.

It has not…