The Simon Fraser University men's soccer team - including freshman Alex Rowley from Maple Ridge - will need to continue to be road warriors, starting today (Thursday).

The Clan have received word that the Sweet 16 of the National Collegiate Athletics Association National Tournament will take place in Phoenix, Ariz.

SFU travelled to Phoenix Tuesday to prepare for today's match against the third-ranked Grand Canyon Antelopes.

SFU was expecting to host the third and fourth rounds in Hayward, Calif. at Pioneer Stadium, the home of Cal State University East Bay, but word came down Monday morning that the round of 16 would be hosted by Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, despite the Clan being ranked first in the region.

The Clan had to host the first and second round in Hayward, after the NCAA notified SFU that the bracket could not be played in Canada, citing concerns about the ability of student-athletes to cross the border.

The third round of the NCAA national tournament will now be held at the GCU soccer field.

If the Clan advance, the fourth round will be played Saturday against the winner of the South Central Region at Antelope Stadium in Phoenix.

A graduate of Samuel Robertson Technical, Rowley was part of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U18 Residency program in 2010 and 2011, prior to joining SFU.