Prior to this, in the group stage, Baylor would face inaugural champions, Purdue, in their opener and would go down 2–0, but would score four consecutive goals to win 4–2.
They did this by beating reigning champions and hosts, Texas, 7–0, then North Carolina 6–0, and finally Colorado State 3–0.
In the quarterfinals, Baylor would eliminate in-state rival, host, and reigning champion, Texas, 3–0 while BYU would beat Northern Colorado 10–1 which would be the only game where they conceded a goal this tournament.
Following this, Purdue would defeat JMU 2–1 while Miami (OH) beat regional opponent Illinois 1–0 to reach their third finals in as many competitions.
Meanwhile, Toledo would lose their opener 2–1 to inaugural open runners-up Texas Tech, then beat Lamar 5–2 to be level on points with them going into the group stage finale with Texas Tech ahead of both teams by 7 points.
In the semifinals, both teams would win 2–1 with Angelo State beating Texas Tech and Toledo being Tennessee.
[9] In the finals, in-state rivals Rice and Texas would face off in the team's fourth meeting.
Prior to this, in the regular season, the teams tied in their first meeting and Texas defeated Rice in the second.
In the semifinals, Texas would defeat in-state rival Texas Tech 9–0 while Rice would remain tied 0–0 with Colorado State after regulation and overtime, meaning penalties would be required to determine a winner which Rice would win.
Knockout stage games needed to declare a winner, so if one was tied at the end of regulation, overtime would begin.