Three Teams to Represent the AAC in the NAIA Opening Round

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – [Watch Video Announcement | First & Second Round Schedule] The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has officially announced the teams and pairings for the 2023 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship. The 40-team field will begin with the NAIA National Championship First & Second Rounds presented by Select Sport America, at 16 campus sites from November 16-18.

The 2023 NAIA National Championship Second Round winners will head to Wichita, Kan. at the NAIA National Championship final site. Scheels Stryker Sports Complex will be the host for final site action from November 27 – December 4, 2023, hosted by Visit Wichita.

The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) had three teams to advance. Milligan received an automatic berth as the regular-season and tournament champion, while Tennessee Wesleyan earned an automatic berth as the tournament runner-up. Union, meanwhile, received an at-large berth.

This year's championship field includes 27 automatic qualifiers and 13 at-large selections. Automatic berths were given to teams that either won their respective conference tournament title, regular-season championship, or finished runner-up at the conference tournament or regular season as determined by each conference qualification plan. The at-large bids were determined by the NAIA Men's Soccer National Selection Committee. This committee consists of one representative from each geographical area, a representative from the National Administrative Council, the president of the NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches Association, and three at-large members. The committee evaluated teams throughout the year on various criteria.

All championship first and second round matches will be video streamed by the host.

The NAIA Network – the association's official video streaming home – will broadcast 14 matches live at the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship final site in Wichita, Kan., and the championship match will be on ESPN3. The NAIA Network, powered by Presto Sports, allows users access to live video, statistics, and social interaction on a number of devices, including mobile. Single-day passes can be purchased for $9.95, while an all-championship tournament package is available at $34.95. For more information and to pre-register, click HERE.

Qualifier Highlights

• Ottawa (Kan.) ends a 51-year drought after last qualifying in 1971.
• Twenty-four teams in the 2023 field played in the national championships a year ago.
• Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) leads the way with nine total Red Banners. Seven total institutions in the field have won a Red Banner before. 
• The Blue Raiders have the most appearances (30) and have played the most games (86).
• Mobile (Ala.) and Rio Grande (Ohio) are each into the fray for the 23rd time and have played a combined 112 games. 
• The Mid-South Conference boasts four qualifiers while the Appalachian, Crossroads, Heart of America, and Southern States have three each.
• Hope International (Calif.), Louisiana Christian, and Westcliff (Calif.) are reaching the tournament for the first time in program history. 
• For a full look at all of the First & Second Round tournaments and matchups, click HERE