The soccer season isn’t over yet, at least not in Colorado Springs. Weidner Field will host the NCAA Division II soccer championships this week, the second time Colorado Springs has hosted the event after hosting in 2021.  The NCAA committee chose Colorado Springs after the success of the 2 021 tournament, with Weidner Field being a significant selling point.  “It’s a beautiful facility, so it’s a no-brainer from a venue standpoint,” Audrey Bloomquist, tournament director, said. “As the sports hub that Colorado Springs is, it’s a great place to host any sort of tournament, but especially one on a national caliber like this. “Most of the stadiums that host championships are at schools, so this is a grand scale for them to be able to play in a stadium and experience what high-level soccer players experience. Everything is elevated.” Bringing the championship to Colorado Springs was a collaborative effort between multiple groups, including Switchbacks FC, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and the Colorado Springs Sports Corp.  “The RMAC was huge in getting the NCAA Division II national championships out here this year,” Jeff VonHolle, director of sales, catering and events for the Switchbacks, said in an August interview. “When those negotiations were taking place, they played a significant role in making sure that Colorado Springs was on the NCAA’s map. And a good experience in 2021.” The semifinals and finals of the 2025 NCAA men’s and women’s soccer championships will be played at Weidner Field starting Thursday, with the women’s semifinals at 3 and 6 p.m. The women’s finals match is set for 1 p.m. Saturday. No. 1 Washburn will face No. 4 Franklin Pierce in the first semifinal, followed by No. 2 Cal Poly Pomona (2024 champion) and No. 3 Florida Tech.  Cal Poly Pomona is excited to play at Weidner Field, especially with its intimate proximity to fans. “That’s the part they noticed right away,” Cal Poly Pomona coach Jay Mason said. “Fans will be close to the action, which is always great. It maintains energy for not just the fans themselves but the players. They thrive in that environment. We told them to use the energy of the crowd.” No. 1 Fort Hays State and No. 4 Rollins will open the men’s semifinals at 3 Friday, followed by No. 2 Southern New Hampshire and No. 3 Midwestern State at 6. The men’s finals match will be 3 p.m. Sunday.  While Colorado winter weather was a concern for event organizers, they feel fortunate about a good weather forecast this weekend, with temperatures near 60 degrees.  “We are looking at great weather and atmosphere for players,” Bloomquist said. “They go and play around the country, so soccer student-athletes are not unfamiliar with colder weather. But we are prepared to help them manage it if it comes.”  For California-based Cal Poly Pomona, the team is embracing potential cold weather.  “You should see them when they see snow,” Mason said. “We have snow in California, but today they ran on the field and the first thing they went to was the snow to have a snowball fight. We always talk about competitive stamina, where no matter the circumstances, we continue to be ourselves. The weather itself makes the moment that much more special.” The men’s tournament started with a 40-team championship bracket revealed during a selection show Nov. 17, with 19 teams earning automatic bids and 21 teams selected at large. The women’s 56-team bracket was also revealed in a show, with 20 automatic bids and 36 at large.   As part of the tournament experience, the final eight teams have a chance to do community outreach, including visiting local elementary, middle, and high schools to interact with students. The schools receive passes to attend the games.  Tournament organizers partnered with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum to offer discounted tickets for championship attendees. The Colorado Springs community will play a large part in putting on the championship matches, including Colorado-Colorado Springs athletic trainers on the sidelines, student sports management volunteers, and UC Health physicians.  “There are lots of parties going into providing a really elevated champion experience for student-athletes,” Bloomquist said. “We are lucky to have a sports community in Colorado Springs that we can pull from these groups. We are excited that Colorado Springs supports us in putting on events like this, and we hope lots of people can come out and celebrate the students’ hard work and accomplishments.” ...read more read less