Coming off one of the most remarkable seasons in program history, the Georgia State men’s soccer team earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament on Monday and will face Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday.
Georgia State (12-6) will advance to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in program history, the last coming in 2018 when the Panthers fell to the same Charlotte squad on penalty kicks. Georgia State also received an at-large berth to the tournament in 2011 and made the play-in game in 2000 and 1997.
For the first time in program history, Georgia State defeated multiple ranked opponents in the same season, topping No. 13 Akron on Oct. 9, and then defeating No. 14 West Virginia 1-0 in the semifinals of the MAC Championship on Thursday. The Panthers faced a total of five ranked opponents this year any another who was receiving votes.
Georgia State owns a 6-2-1 record all-time against Charlotte including a 1-0 win over the 49’ers in 2019, one of eight all-time ranked wins for the Panthers.
The Panthers are coming off a heartbreaking 2-1 double-overtime loss to No. 19 Northern Illinois on Sunday in the MAC Championship Game. It marked the seventh-straight year Georgia State has played for a conference title.
The game time for Thursday’s match should be announced later today.
Georgia State is led by All-MAC First Team members George Proctor and Gunther Rankenburg, along with All-MAC Second Team members Ross Finnie and Ethan Sassine. Sassine, along with junior Max Wilkins led the Panthers with six goals each this year, while Sassine led GSU with 13 total points.
With a win on Thursday, Georgia State would advance to play at No. 3 seed Georgetown (16-2-0) on Sunday.
