NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Connecticut College men's soccer team opens up NCAA tournamnet action on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. against Suffolk University on Freeman Field.

Conn claimed the automatic NCAA bid after defeating No.3 Middlebury 3-1 on Sunday in the NESCAC title game. The Camels claimed their first conference crown in program history, entering the NCAA tournament with an overall record of 10-2-6. On the year, Conn has scored 34 goals (1.89 per game) with 18 different goal scorers, while conceding just 11 goals in 18 games.

The 2021 National Champions have two players in double-digit scoring, led by Matt Scoffone (Thornton, Pa.) with 16 points on eight goals, while Marco Perugini (Medway, Mass.) joins Scoffone in double-digits with 12 points on three goals and a team-best six assists. Peter Silvester (Smiths Parish, Bermuda) has started every game between the sticks for Conn, compiling a 0.853 save percentage, a 0.61 goals against average, and 10 total clean sheets.

On Wednesday, Scoffone earned All-NESCAC First-Team honors, while Silvester and Max Haberman (San Diego, Calif.) were both tabbed to the second team. The Camels are entering the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in program history, and are hosting for the second time.

Suffolk (10-6-5) is coming off a 1-1 draw against Roger Williams in the Conference of New England championship match, claiming the title with a 3-2 decision in penalty kicks on November 9. The Rams captured their first CNE Tournament title, and with it the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. Francisco Valck leads the team with 14 points on sevens goals, while Luke Blawn has added 13 points (5g, 3a), and goalkeeper Nathan Harlow has a 0.88 goals against average and seven shutouts in 17 starts.

The site's other first round match-up features No. 19 Franklin & Marshall (9-2-7 overall) against WestConn (15-4-3 overall). The winners from each first-round contest will meet on Sunday, November 17.