Mount Aloysius College is on a mission to claim their first conference title in men's soccer, and as the top seed in the AMCC tournament, the Mounties will have home field advantage on their side. With a potential match up against #2 seed and seven-time trophy winner Penn St. Behrend in their way, they will need it. Earning identical 8-1 records, the Lions and the Mounties have been named regular season co-champions.
#1 Mount Aloysius is having their best season ever, going 8-1 in conference play and defeating AMCC powerhouse Penn St. Behrend during the regular season, 2-1 in OT. The Mounties are led by junior midfielder Jim Smith, who has a conference-leading 12 assists and is third with 24 points. Junior goalkeeper Justin Hann ranks third in the AMCC with a .765 save percentage and is fifth with 78 saves and a 1.49 goals-against average.
#2 Penn St. Behrend will be looking to claim their third consecutive, and eighth overall, championship. The Lions boast a balanced attack with senior midfielder Nick Stewart, who is tied for second in the conference with 11 goals and junior forward Anthony Crivelli, who is tied for fourth with nine goals. Crivelli and junior midfielder Sean Gallagher are tied for sixth with six assists each. The Lions' senior goalkeeper Will Cole leads the conference in save percentage (.800), goals against (4), and goals-against average (0.54).
La Roche College has secured the #3 seed. Freshman forward Elliot Dick leads the Redhawk offense and is tied for fourth in the conference with nine goals, while freshman midfielder Joaquin Vicent Franch is second with 11 assists.
#4 Penn State Altoona is entering the postseason with plenty of momentum after a thrilling 1-0 victory over Mt. Aloysius Tuesday evening, giving the top-seeded Mounties their only conference loss of the season. Sophomore goalkeeper Jonathan Fuydal has been solid in the net, as he ranks second in the conference in both goals against (16) and goals-against average (1.23).
Medaille College, winners of six previous conference titles, will be the #5 seed. Junior forward Junior Geegba leads the Mavs offensively, as he is tied for fourth in the AMCC with nine goals on the season. Junior goalkeeper Brian Arcara boasts a .779 save percentage, good enough for second in the conference. Arcara also ranks fourth in goals-against average (1.32) and fifth in goals against (19).
Rounding out the 2015 conference tournament will be #6 Hilbert College. The Hawks needed a win on the last day of the regular season to punch their ticket to the playoffs. Sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Valentine is tops in the conference with 112 saves and is fourth with a .752 save percentage.
First round games will be played on Saturday, October 31, with the top two seeds receiving byes. The semifinals will take place on Wednesday, November 4, with the championship game on Saturday, November 7. The AMCC champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, with the national championship to be played in Kansas City, MO, December 4-5.
Please see the AMCC Fall Championship Page for more details.