Homecoming at 3-1 FDU features 3-1 Delaware Valley, the 12th ranked team in the nation. The Devils season was clipping along until the second half of last week’s Widener game when they gave up four touchdowns. Last week Mark Hatty tossed 5 touchdown passes for the Aggies (averages 206 yards a game) in a lopsided victory over LVC. DVC, the MAC’s top defense (8.5 PPG), will see the league’s top passer, FDU’s Matt Jeffers (225 yards/game). The Pioneers (2-2) visit King’s (0-4), and shouldn’t be deceived by the Monarch record. Their three recent losses were by a combined 16 points. After a stinging last minute defeat at the hands of Wilkes, Albright (2-2) returns home to host 3-1 Lycoming, whose loss to Rowan by a touchdown is the only blemish on their record. The Lions defense must find a solution to the Warrior’s Josh Kleinfelter who is earning great recognition for his two 200 plus yard rushing games and 177 yard/game average. Albright’s offense leads the conferences in scoring at 35.8 PPG. Wilkes takes on Lebanon Valley in Annville. This is a critical game for both squads, The Dutchmen were expected to be in the hunt for a championship and are 1-3; another conference loss puts them out of the picture. After knocking off Albright in the conference opener, the Colonels (2-2) could move to 2-0 in the MAC and remain a contender.

The big event this weekend is the women’s individual tennis tournament at Wilkes and King’s in Wilkes-Barre. The weather looks great so matches will start at 9 AM on both Saturday and Sunday. At #1 singles, Melanie Nolt of Wilkes should be the favorite as she won at this position last year. She should be challenged by Alena Marani (Elizabethtown) who won at #5 last year and Shayna Heintzelman (Lebanon Valley) who lost in the semi-finals at #2 in 2009. At #2 singles, three women have moved up in the ladder from strong finishes in 2009. Last year Madison Pipkin (Elizabethtown) lost at #4 in the finals, Lauren Fulmer (Lebanon Valley) lost at #4 in the semi’s, and Lauren Breen (King’s) lost in the #5 final to Alena Marani. At #3, Christi Noecker returns after winning the 2009 #6 final. And to indicate how strong the Wilkes program has become, Alexis Donner competes at #5 this year after winning at #4 last year. There are many first years at all the positions, so be prepared for some new names in the winner’s circle.

MAC men's soccer teams head into the second week of the conference with some big games on tap. 14 of the 16 teams have winning records, evidence of how strong the conference is. After defeating nemesis York 2-0, perennial national power 9-1 Messiah travels to Arcadia for a repeat of last year’s Commonwealth championship game. Messiah’s Nick Thompson leads the Falcons in scoring with 1.4 PPG and goalkeeper Jake Berry tops the conference with a .48 GAA and a save pct. of .882. At 6-5, Arcadia comes off a 3-2 overtime win over Wilkes. The big game may be 6-1-2 Elizabethtown at 8-3 Albright. The Lions are lead by conference scoring leader Gibrilla Conde (1.75 PPG and .75 GPG). Elizabethtown leads the conference in scoring with 7.38 PPG and 2.75 GPG. After defeating Scranton 1-0, Lebanon Valley visits Alvernia in a battle to stay in contention for a tournament spot. Lycoming heads to Widener – the loser has two conference losses, a tough spot to be with only five conference games to recover. In a battle of last year’s Freedom finalists, Misericordia visits Manhattanville. Each team has struggled some in the early going and needs a win to stay in contention for a tournament berth. After whacking Juniata 3-0, King’s visits a much improved Delaware Valley side. King’s has been a scoring machine, averaging 6.58 PPG and 2.42 GPG. DeSales sports the Freedom’s leading scorer (Derek Long, 2.09 PPG and 11 goals for 1 GPG) and the stingiest defense (.79 GAA). They will face the conference’s leading goalie, FDU’s Kevin Herbert who holds a .909 save percentage. Eastern’s defense has also been effective only giving up .88 GPG. They host Wilkes, winner of four of their last five games.

Three MAC field hockey teams (Eastern, Messiah, and Lebanon Valley) remain in the national poll. #4 Lebanon Valley crushed #20 F & M 5-1 as Jocelyn Novak broke the LVC career scoring record with 181 points. She leads the conference in points (4.33 PG) and goals (2 PG). As a team, the Dutchmen are a scoring machine with the three top scorers in the conference, a 5.67 scoring margin, and 6.44 goals per game average. Messiah is dominating on defense allowing only .55 goals per game. Their goalie, Kayleigh Stewart contributes to that prowess with a .53 GAA and a .893 save percentage. King’s leads the Freedom in scoring with 3.1 GPG and Eastern dominate defensively at .85 GAA. One reason Misericordia is in the mix for a tournament spot is the scoring of Samantha Sorokas who has 2.55 PPG, 13 goals, and 1.18 GPG. Manhattanville’s goalie Melissa Grant is making a phenomenal 10.3 saves a game.

In women’s soccer, Messiah remains the #1 team in the country after soundly defeating two-time Freedom champion Eastern on Wednesday night. The Falcons have only given up one goal in ten games and have scored an average of 5.25. Amanda Naeher, 2008 national player of the year, sets the offensive pace with 4.38 PPG and 1.88 GPG. Arcadia (9-2-1), the 2009 conference runner up, hosts Messiah this weekend. Lebanon Valley’s defense has recorded eight shutouts in 12 games. On the Freedom side, Misericordia (3.09 GPG) and FDU (3.0 GPG) are possible challengers to Eastern this year with their scoring prowess. Eastern counts on their defense with a .9 GAA thus far. DeSales Brady Walsh leads the conference in scoring (2.45 PPG, 11 goals, and 1 GPG).