Kentucky men's soccer earns No. 1 overall seed in NCAA Tournament

For the first time in program history, Kentucky men’s soccer will enter the NCAA Tournament as the top overall seed.

Coming off an undefeated regular season that resulted in a Sun Belt Conference postseason title on Sunday night, the Wildcats were named the No. 1 seed in the upcoming 2022 NCAA Tournament. The announcement was made on Monday afternoon by the Division I Men’s Soccer Committee.

Kentucky, which received a first-round bye, will host the three rounds of its region at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington, taking on the winner of South Florida-Hofstra in the Round of 32 on Sunday, Nov. 20. UK is the lone undefeated team remaining in the entire country.

First-round tournament action begins Thursday, Nov. 17. The Men’s College Cup is scheduled for Dec. 9 and Dec. 12 in Cary, North Carolina on ESPNU.

Top 2 and we’re NOT number 2!! 😼😤

Cats on 🔝 as the overall No. 1 seed of the @NCAASoccer Tournament receiving a first-round bye! 🥳🎉#WeAreUK | #GBED pic.twitter.com/w57xEJlzJD

— Kentucky Men’s Soccer (@UKMensSoccer) November 14, 2022

Not even 24 hours ago, Kentucky (14-0-5, 8-0-5 Sun Belt) polished off its lossless season with a 2-0 win over James Madison in the Sun Belt Conference championship game. Four Wildcats were tabbed to the 2022 Sun Belt Men’s Soccer All-Tournament Team, led by Kentucky’s Clay Holstad, who was named the event’s Most Valuable Player. He was joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammates Casper Mols, Eythor Bjorgolfsson, and Luis Grassow. Grassow was also tabbed to the NCAA’s best XI in the country.

Kentucky has never made it past the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament since the program began back in 1991. The only time the ‘Cats made it that far in the tournament was in 2018 when UK was knocked out by No. 11 Maryland 1-0. Longtime head coach Johan Cedergren took Kentucky to the second round in 2019, the Sweet 16 in 2020, and the Sweet 16 once again in 2021, when they fell to eventual champion Clemson. 2022 figures to be the Wildcats’ best shot at a national title yet.

Check out the entire 48-team 2022 NCAA Tournament field below. In order, Washington, Syracuse, and Virginia round out the top four seeds. In-state rival Louisville also made the field and will play Western Michigan in round one on Nov. 17.