BROWNS SUMMIT, N.C. – The 2026 Conference Carolinas Men’s Soccer Championship final is set as second seed Lees-McRae College will face fifth seed Francis Marion University. The Bobcats earned a 3-0 win over Converse University in the semifinals while the Patriots topped Barton College 1-0.

No. 5 Francis Marion def. No. 8 Barton 1-0
In the 20th minute, Volkan Celikkol redirected a pass from Tim Wilkening to give Francis Marion the 1-0 lead. Barton tried to answer with three shots on target over the final 10 minutes of the half, but all were turned away. The teams traded shots in the second half, but the Patriot defense was stout, turning away all three Barton chances to take the contest 1-0. Barton outshot Francis Marion 12-10 and posted six shots on frame to Francis Marion’s three.

No. 2 Lees-McRae def. No. 3 Converse 3-0
In the nightcap, Converse had the first chance with a penalty kick in the 22nd minute, but the shot was off target, leaving the contest scoreless. Conference Carolinas Player of the Year, Conor O’Gorman ripped a shot off the far post and put in the rebound to give Lees-McRae a 1-0 lead in the 40th minute. The score remained the same until Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year Andrea Marrazzo added an insurance goal in the 86th minute. Jonas Bartelt added another in the 90th minute to give Lees-McRae the 3-0 victory.

Lees-McRae will face Francis Marion in the championship game at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. Francis Marion won the tournament title in 2024 while Lees-McRae’s last crown came in 2010.

Fans can watch every game of the tournament live via the Conference Carolinas Digital Network powered by Hudl at ConferenceCarolinas.com/watch. Fans can purchase an all-tournament pass for $25 or a daily pass for $10.

Information regarding the championship schedule, bracket and the Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park are available at the links below.
 

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CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE | BRACKET | LIVE VIDEO | FINAL SITE TICKETS
 

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2026 Conference Carolinas Men's Soccer Championship
First Round – Wednesday, October 28 (Higher Seed Hosts)
No. 8 Barton def. No. 9 Ferrum, 2-0 BOX SCORE
No. 5 Francis Marion def. No. 12 King, 3-0 BOX SCORE
No. 6 Emmanuel def. No. 11 Belmont Abbey, 2-2 (8-7 PKs) BOX SCORE
No. 7 North Greenville def. No. 10 Southern Wesleyan, 2-1 BOX SCORE

Quarterfinals – Saturday, October 31 (Higher Seed Hosts)
No. 8 Barton def. No. 1 Young Harris, 2-1 BOX SCORE
No. 5 Francis Marion def. No. 4 Chowan, 2-1 BOX SCORE
No. 3 Converse def. No. 6 Emmanuel, 1-0 BOX SCORE
No. 2 Lees-McRae def. No. 7 North Greenville, 1-0 BOX SCORE

Semifinals – Friday, November 6 (Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park – Browns Summit, N.C.)
No. 5 Francis Marion def. No. 8 Barton vs., 1-0 BOX SCORE
No. 2 Lees-McRae vs. No. 3 Converse, 3-0 BOX SCORE

Final – Sunday, November 8 (Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park – Browns Summit, N.C.)
No. 5 Francis Marion vs. No. 2 Lees-McRae, 2:00 p.m.