Nov. 20, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – (PDF Bracket) The NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship Opening Round is scheduled to get underway with 15 games on Saturday, Nov. 22. The winners of the Opening Round games, as well as host school Fresno Pacific (Calif.) University, will advance to the final site of the 50^th Annual Men’s Soccer National Championship from Dec. 1-6 in Fresno, Calif.

No. 1 seed Oklahoma City opens up by hosting McPherson (Kan.). The Stars are 17-2-1 on the year. Defending national champion Azusa Pacific (Calif.) did not qualify for the National Championships afterlosing in an emotional conference championship game.

This year’s 31 teams include 25 automatic qualifiers (conferences/independents champions), five at-large bids and the host school.  No. 1 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) is making its 16^th appearance and 15^th straight, which is the most by any school in the field. The Blue Raiders also boast the most wins of any participant with a 34-8-4 mark.

There are eight schools that have qualified for the National Championships for the first time in school history.

The National Championship final site in Fresno, Calif., includes 15 games beginning with an 11:30 a.m. PST match on Monday, Dec. 1. There are four games scheduled during the first three days. The Semifinals are slated for Friday, Dec. 5 at 5 and 7:30 p.m. and the 2008 champion is crowned at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. For ticket information in Fresno, Calif., contact Michelle Boling at 559-453-2009 or by email at michelle.boling@fresno.edu

JumpTV Inc. is the exclusive provider of live video and audio-streaming at the NAIA National Championship. JumpTV will stream the 2008 NAIA Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Volleyball National Championships in early December. In all, there will be 37 events for public viewing during the NAIA Fall National Championships. These events can be viewed by going to watchnaia.com or by clicking here.

For more information on the National Championship Opening Round, click here.

For more information on the National Championships, click here.