[1] In the finals, back-to-back runners up, Texas Tech, would face region 1 champions, Penn State, following their historic win over BYU in the semifinals.
[3] In the semifinals, on what was described as a "cold, wet" day in Austin, Texas Tech would face regional champions Illinois.
In penalties, Illinois would miss all of their shootout attempts and two makes from Texas Tech would be enough to reach their third consecutive finals.
The game would remain tied at the end of regulation, and with no goals in overtime a penalty shootout would be required to determine a winner.
In the shootout, where Penn State shot first, both teams had scored twice and missed once after 3 rounds of kicks; but, following a make from Lear and a save from eventual tournament MVP Reed Brubaker, Penn State were a make or a BYU miss away from their first finals appearance.
A make from team captain Chad Meldrum of Penn State would be enough to not only advance to their first finals, but also give BYU their first loss in their 5 years in the tournament.
The score would remain the same until the dying moments of the match when Leary would notch his 8th goal of the tournament and seal Penn State's first ever title while Texas Tech would lose their third straight finals.
JMU senior and club president, Sean Mannion, who scored 6 goals in the competition would be named MVP for the second consecutive year.
In the semifinals, Virginia would beat JMU 2–1 while Rice would be tied with Colorado State "Green" 1–1 at the end of regulation.
In the finals, Virginia would score the lone goal of the game with 20 minutes remaining in the match to win their first open title.
Knockout stage games needed to declare a winner, so if one was tied at the end of regulation, overtime would begin.