The 2019 Opening Round field includes 27 automatic qualifiers, 18 at-large selections and the one host berth. Automatic berths were given to teams that either won their respective conference tournament title, regular-season championship or finished runner-up during the regular season or at the conference tournament; the number of automatic qualifiers differ conference-to-conference based on conference size and postseason-eligible teams.

The at-large bids are determined by the Soccer National Selection Committee. For more information on the National Selection Committee, see Appendix B of the Soccer Coaches Manual.
STU enters the 2019 National Tournament as the No. 13 seed, traveling to Marshall, Mo., to play in the Marshall Bracket. Joining the Bobcats in the Marshall Bracket is host, Missouri Valley College and Lyon College (Ark.)

The No. 13 Bobcats (12-2-2) return to the NAIA National Tournament, for the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2017. St. Thomas earned the first-ever NAIA National Tournament win, defeating Truett-McConnell University at Bobcat Field. STU advanced to the NAIA National Tournament and lost to No. 6 Mobile, in PKs.

The strength of the St. Thomas unit is the defense. Harry Molyneux, who is making his third trip to the National Tournament, leads the defensive unit, which held opponents to 15-goals in 16 matches and 7.8 shots-per-game. Offensively, the duo of Mads
Rismoen and Pedro Moriera, each scored seven goals to lead the club.

In the Sun Conference Semifinals, No. 13 St. Thomas lost to sixth-seeded, Johnson & Wales in penalty kicks on November 12.

No. 13 STU takes on the winner of Missouri Valley College/Lyon College match-up on Saturday, November 23. The winner of that match advances to the NAIA National Tournament, which will be played in Irvine, CA. from December 2 – 7.