Eight players from the Flint City Bucks’ 2023 roster have qualified with seven schools to play in the NCAA Tournament, with opening-round matches set for Thursday.

All matches will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required).

Western Michigan University vs. Green Bay: 1 p.m. ET Thursday

WMU Soccer Complex in Kalamazoo (tickets)

The Broncos enter the tournament on an 18-match unbeaten streak, thanks largely to their nationally respected defensive unit. WMU owns 10 clean sheets in 19 matches, with the Flint City pairing of center back Jaylen Shannon and left back Jonathan Robinson starting every single one. Shannon, a graduate student, was named Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Robinson, a redshirt junior, has a goal and 12 assists, tied for first across NCAA Division I soccer. Both players were named to the MVC first team. Charlie Sharp, now on 15 goals and the program record holder, played for the Bucks in 2021. If the Broncos are victorious, they will advance to face No. 15 Duke on Sunday.

No. 6 Southern Methodist University vs. TBD: 6 p.m. ET Sunday

Graduate forward Jelldrik Dallmann leads the Mustangs, who earned a bye to the second round and will host the winner of LIU (10-5-3) and Denver (11-2-5). Bucks fans, who know Dallmann for his ridiculous scoring efficiency, won’t be surprised: The MAC Hermann Trophy watchlister has 14 goals and four assists in 1,139 minutes played. Before the tourney, he was unanimously selected for the American Athletic Conference first team.

Indiana University vs. Lipscomb: 6 p.m. ET Thursday

Bucks legend Hugo Bacharach leads the back line for the Big Ten Tournament champion Hoosiers, who will host Lipscomb to open the tourney. The senior center back and MAC Hermann Trophy watchlister was named to the conference second team for his effort this season, which has featured two goals and four assists in 16 starts. The winner of this match will play No. 10 Wake Forest in the second round on Sunday.

University of Kentucky @ Xavier: 7 p.m. ET Thursday

The Wildcats travel to Cincinnati to open the tournament, in which graduate midfielder Brennan Creek will be key. Creek is second on the team with 1,486 minutes played. He has two assists on the season. The winner advances to face No. 2 Notre Dame.

Seattle University @ Oregon State: 9 p.m. ET Thursday

The Redhawks, regular season champions for the Western Athletic Conference, head south to begin NCAA Tournament action. Graduate forward Lennard Fock, who started twice but racked up six goals on the season, could make a big impact. If victorious, Seattle would stay in Oregon to face No. 11 Portland, the home of Flint City’s Wylie Trujilo.

University of Memphis vs. SIUE: 8 p.m. Thursday

Graduate defender Robbie Baker has become a mainstay for Memphis, starting the last nine matches. He has 10 starts total among 17 appearances this season. If they beat Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, the Tigers will go on to play No. 3 North Carolina.

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