The NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Committee announced that WVIAC champion Charleston (17-3-0) is part of the field of 32 teams for the 2009 Division II Men’s Soccer Championship. The resurgent Golden Eagles, which were winless in 2007, are making their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1999. Two to six teams were selected from each of the eight regions. Teams from the same region will be paired for opening- first and second-round competition, which will be conducted November 11-15 on campus sites. Quarterfinals will be held on campus sites and completed by Nov. 22. The semifinals and final will be played Dec. 3-5 at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla.

The third-seeded Golden Eagles will play Friday versus Millersville, in a battle of 17-win squads. Millersville (17-2-0) is the region's second seed, despite being ranked No. 1 nationally last week. The Marauders dropped a 2-1 decision to Slippery Rock last Saturday in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship match. Slippery Rock (17-3-1) is the host for the Atlantic Regional and will take on Mercyhurst (14-5-1) in the other first round match.

UC is the first WVIAC member to earn a bid to the NCAA post-season since 2000. The Golden Eagles downed West Virginia Wesleyan and IUPU-Fort Wayne before falling to Southern Connecticut in the 1999 national semifinals during their lone visit to the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament.

Second-year head coach Chad Duernberger's club has only allowed multiple goals once in 2009 and have outscored foes 55-10. The Golden Eagles' lone losses since August were matching 1-0 setbacks to Slippery Rock and Division I Marshall. UC actually owned a 13-7 edge in shots in the September 16 defeat at Slippery Rock, but a 30th minute Alex Swartz goal was just enough for the Rock.

Dion Peters leads the Golden Eagle offense with 15 goals, while Darko Karamatic chips in with 11 goals and nine assists. Sean Teepen has a miniscule 0.54 goals against average in goal for UC.

Pairings for the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional follow. Game times will be announced later this week.

Site: Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Nov. 13 and 15 Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania Teams:

1. Slippery Rock (17-3-1) 2. Millersville (17-2-0) 3. Charleston (WV) (17-3-0) 4. Mercyhurst (14-5-1)

Friday, Nov. 13 Game No. 1 – Millersville vs. Charleston (WV) Game No. 2 – Slippery Rock vs. Mercyhurst

Sunday, Nov. 15 Winner of Game No. 1 vs. Winner Game No. 2