Soccer Watch

The St. Edward's women bowed out of the NCAA Div. II playoffs in the national quarterfinals on Sunday, with their first loss of the year, 2-0 at Western Washington. Up in Div. I, the Atlantic Coast Conference flexed its muscles, sending six teams into the final eight. On the men's side, the six-team Pac-12 has four entries in the final 16, as does the ACC.

The Austin Aztex have announced tryout dates for their 2014 season. The 2013 PDL Champions will be hard-pressed to improve on this year's title run, but Coach of the Year Paul Dalglish will be trying to defend that title, and advance deep in U.S. Open Cup play. Jan. 4-5 is an invitational camp for returning players and invitees; March 15 a collegiate trial for current college players; March 16 an open trial. All at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in Round Rock. More info at www.austinaztex.com.

European Champions League was back in action this Tuesday-Wednesday, in the next-to-last games of the group stage. As it stands, England, Germany, and Spain look likely to provide 11 of the 16 teams in the tournament's knockout rounds, which begin in February.

Looking ahead: The MLS Cup final is Saturday, Dec. 7, 3pm on ESPN: Salt Lake City at Kansas City. The draw for the World Cup Final groups is on Friday, Dec. 6. And Euro Champions League group play concludes Dec. 10-11.