The Douglas College Royals will play host to the Canadian Colleges' national men's soccer championships, beginning today at Cunnings Field in Town Centre park in Coquitlam.
The B.C. college champion and No. 3 nationally ranked Royals will face a tough draw in their opening game, going up against defending national champion Northern Alberta Institute of Technology at 3 p.m.
The top-seeded team in the tournament is the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. SAIT earned its first Alberta title in 30 years with a 2-1 extra-time victory over its northern counterpart in the provincial final.
Last season's national runner-up, Holland College from P.E.I., is coming off an undefeated 8-0-4 season and a second consecutive Atlantic conference title.
A win in the opening round would pit Douglas against Holland in the semifinals, which will take place on Thursday.
Consolation placement games are set for Friday at 10 a.m. and 12: 30 p.m.
The final placement matches, including the bronze-and gold-medal finals are scheduled for Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.
The championship final is set for 5 p.m. The third-place consolation final will kick off at 2: 30 p.m.
Douglas last hosted the men's national championships in 2003, when the Royals finished third.
The Royals earned its one-and-only national title in 2005.
Douglas also went to a national soccer final in 2002 and picked up a second bronze medal in '09. The New Westminster college placed fourth overall in '04.
"Every team will be a good team. It will be a good tournament," said Douglas head coach Joe Ormerod. "You have to win three (games), and we'll try to do that."
The tournament kicks off today with SAIT taking on Seneca College at Cunnings Field at 10 a.m.
