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BOYDS, Md. – The 2026 BIG EAST Men’s Soccer Championship Presented by Jeep concludes Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. ET when No. 1 seed and second-ranked Georgetown faces No. 3 seed and fourth-ranked Akron at the Maryland SportsPlex in Boyds, Md. The championship match will air nationally on ESPNU, with Tyler Terens and Paddy Foss calling the action.
 
The winner will earn the BIG EAST's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Selection Show is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.
 
Both teams advanced to the championship match with shutout victories in Thursday's semifinals. Georgetown (15-1-2, 7-0-1 BIG EAST) defeated No. 4 seed Seton Hall, 2-0, behind second-half goals from Matthew Van Horn and Eric Howard. Akron (12-1-4, 4-1-3 BE) secured its spot with a commanding 4-0 victory over No. 2 seed and eighth-ranked Creighton, scoring three times in a span of just 2:59 during the opening 10 minutes. Jack Sullivan, Jack Roman, Remi Agunbiade and Londen Sears each found the back of the net for the Zips.
 
Sunday marks the seventh all-time meeting between Georgetown and Akron, with the Zips holding a 3-2-1 edge in the series. The Hoyas have won the last two encounters, including a 3-1 road victory on Sept. 25. Mateo Ponce Ocampo scored twice and Van Horn converted a penalty kick in the win, while Thomas O'Rourke accounted for Akron's lone goal. The programs also met in the 2024 BIG EAST semifinals, when Georgetown earned a 2-1 overtime victory.
 
Georgetown returns to the championship match for the 10th consecutive season and 14th time in program history. The Hoyas are seeking their eighth BIG EAST tournament crown and third straight after defeating UConn, 3-1, in last year's final. Akron, meanwhile, advances to its first BIG EAST Championship final since joining the conference in 2023. The Zips captured a share of their third consecutive Midwest Division regular-season title this fall.
 
Georgetown enters Sunday ranked No. 2 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and No. 1 in the latest RPI rankings. The Hoyas are unbeaten in their last 12 matches (11-0-1) and have scored 56 goals this season, averaging 3.11 per contest. Georgetown also established post-realignment BIG EAST single-season highs with 28 goals, 33 assists and 89 points during conference play.
 
The Hoyas led the league with eight All-BIG EAST selections and collected four of the six major regular-season awards. Senior Matthew Van Horn, the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year, leads the team with 35 points on 13 goals and nine assists. Junior Mitchell Baker was unanimously selected Offensive Player of the Year after recording 11 goals and six assists for 28 points, while Terrance Reynolds earned Freshman of the Year honors. The Georgetown coaching staff, led by Brian Wiese, was also recognized as Coaching Staff of the Year.
 
Akron enters the final riding a nine-match unbeaten streak (7-0-2), including five consecutive victories. The Zips rank No. 4 nationally and No. 5 in the latest RPI rankings, having allowed just 14 goals in 17 matches while recording eight shutouts. Akron has scored 37 goals this season, averaging 2.18 per contest.
 
The Zips earned five All-BIG EAST selections, highlighted by First Team honorees Thomas O'Rourke and Matt Dreas. O'Rourke leads Akron with 15 points on four goals and seven assists, while Second Team selection Remi Agunbiade has a team-high six goals and 14 points. Junior goalkeeper Brett Kaminski anchors the defensive unit, recording his eighth shutout of the season in Thursday's semifinal victory.
 
2026 BIG EAST Men's Soccer Championship Presented by Jeep
Semifinals – Thursday, Nov. 12
Maryland SportsPlex – Boyds, Md.
No. 3 seed Akron 4, No. 2 seed Creighton 0 – Recap
No. 1 seed Georgetown 2, No. 4 seed Seton Hall 0 – Recap
 
Championship – Sunday, Nov. 15
Maryland SportsPlex – Boyds, Md.
No. 1 seed Georgetown vs. No. 3 seed Akron – 2 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
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