ALBANY, GA -- The Darton State College soccer teams officially start their drive to a NJCAA national title Monday, but this year a different element has been added to the tournament.
As the host school, the Darton State men’s team kicked off the championship week with opening ceremonies Sunday night.
On Monday, the games get started under new pool play rules. 12 teams have been broken up in to four groups of round robin play. The winners of those groups advance to the national semifinals on Friday.
The Cavalier coaches shared their thoughts on the NJCAA’s format change.
“(In the past) on your opening night, if you lost you couldn't play for the national championship. You'd have to play for fifth or third...now you have the opportunity (to play for a title). If for some unforeseen reason you lose, you still got one more game to stay in it,” Cavaliers Men’s Coach Bart Sasnett said.
“I don't think you get a true reality of who the best team really is. I guess…you debate that in every sport in finding out who the best team really is. It's going to be the best team on that given day,” Cavaliers Women’s Coach Ken Veilands said.
The number one seeded Cavalier men open Monday with 12 seed Western Wyoming before facing the eight seed, Western Texas.
For the Cavalier women, they'll play 12 seed, Muskegon College, Tuesday and top seed Brevard College Wednesday.
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