ERIE, Pa. - The Penn State Behrend men's soccer team earned their second straight automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after winning the AMCC Championship Saturday night. The Lions (18-3) defeated conference rival Medaille 1-0 in the championship game for the second straight year.
Behrend will play Ohio Wesleyan (15-4-2) in the opening round hosted by Calvin. The Lions have never faced Ohio Wesleyan, who earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The game will take place Friday at 1:30 p.m. in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Admission: $6 General Admission, $3 Senior Citizens/Students, $2 Children Ages 3-12
This is the fifth time the men's soccer program has made it to the NCAA Tournament and the third time in the last four years. Last season, the Lions tied Rose-Hulman 0-0 in the first-ever NCAA Tournament game hosted by the program. Rose-Hulman advanced on penalty kicks, 9-8.
Behrend's offense has been dynamic all year and is led by senior Jimmy Belack (Upper St. Clair, PA/Upper St. Clair) and sophomore Anthony Crivelli (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley). Belack leads the conference with 48 points and 17 goals, and is tied for the lead in assists with 14. Crivelli, who scored the game-winning goal in the AMCC Championship, ranks second in points (37), third in goals (15) and fourth in assists (7).
On defense, the Lions have allowed just 13 goals all year thanks in part to the stellar play by defenders Mike Worthy (Pittsburgh, PA/Upper St. Clari), Evan Augustine (Pittsburgh, PA/South Park) and Kevin Vock (Bridgeville, PA/South Fayette). Goalkeeper Jarrod Wassell (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg) has been a brick wall in the net, posting a 15-3 record with nine shutouts. Wassell has made 34 saves, and boasts a 0.56 goals against average.
The winner of the contest will advance to play the winner of Calvin and Rose-Hulman.
