WESTERVILLE, Ohio – For the second time in five years, Otterbein University will host a four-team regional in the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championships.

The Cardinals, back in the "Big Dance" under head coach Jason Griffiths, received an at-large bid into the field of 64 schools during Monday's official Selection Show. Otterbein won a share of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) regular-season title before narrow runner-up status in the league tournament at John Carroll, falling 1-0 in overtime.

Nevertheless, the Cards will get to play on their home turf as they open the bracket with a rematch against Trine. The other first-round contest will feature UChicago and Webster.

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Otterbein (14-1-4) is currently ranked No. 9 in the national poll and defeated Trine 2-0 back on September 18 at Memorial Stadium. Junior Will Isaac led the OAC in scoring with 31 points this fall, eight ahead of teammate Gabe Sharrock in second, as the lineup has six players in double-digit scoring.

The Cardinal defense compiled a 0.85 goals-against average this season, posting nine shutouts behind veterans Nathan Neal and Liam Heard. Neal is a 2x All-OAC standout in the middle of that unit.

Trine (12-7-1) earned an automatic bid from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association after upsetting No. 16-ranked Calvin in the MIAA semifinals, and then going on to beat Kalamazoo in the title match for its first-ever tournament crown. The Thunder, under head coach David Jacobs,  are led by standout forward Tyler Murphy and his 37 points this fall. No other Trine player has more than nine.

Chicago (12-5-1) comes in slotted No. 10 in the country and having played a very competitive schedule… featuring six nationally-ranked opponents. Head Coach Pat Flinn guides the Maroons, who lost 1-0 to No. 3 Washington-St. Louis in the University Athletic Association Championship…

UChicago has reached the national stage seven times since 2014 and has played in some very tight, low-scoring matches this fall. The Maroons have allowed just 10 goals all season in front of senior goalkeeper Calvin Walters. On the offensive side, the three-headed monster of Ryan Yetishefsky, Richard Gillespie and Ben Brandt leads the way.

Webster (18-1-2), playing out of St. Louis, advanced past Spalding in penalty kicks to win the SLIAC Tournament. The Gorloks operate under the direction of ninth-year head coach Mike Siener and have not lost since September 7 against Wash-U.

Aahman Murvin leads Webster with 39 points while Mark Moore is next in line with a hefty 29. Goalkeeper Matt Coffey holds a 0.53 goals-against average and junior defender Tavis Cameron helps direct the back unit.

The winners of Chicago/Webster and Otterbein/Trine will return to meet Sunday afternoon in the second round at 1 p.m. Whichever team advances from that matchup will play in the NCAA Sweet 16.

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