The Demon Deacons were led by head coach Tony Da Luz, in his twenty-eighth season.

They played two Power 4 opponents over this span, and drew at Rutgers and defeated twentieth ranked Mississippi State at home.

A defeat of Syracuse saw them rise to number four before their match-up with Florida State, which the Demon Deacons would in emphatically 4–1.

The game was closer than it was in the regular season and Florida State prevailed in a penalty shoot-out.

They traveled to Southern California to face the first seed and fourth ranked Trojans in the Quarterfinals.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.