The much anticipated game for first place in the MAC did not turn out to be close as Delaware Valley shutout Lycoming. Lycoming now must defend their position in second place as they head to Wilkes. By beating the second place teams (Lycoming and Wilkes are both 3-1 in the MAC) the last two weeks, DVC is almost guaranteed the conference championship. The Aggie defense has not given up any points in the last six quarters of play. They host winless, but competitive King’s this Saturday. The Monarchs relinquished a lead late in the game against LVC, their fifth close loss. LVC hosts Widener, both at 2-2, with the winner moving into a tie for third place. The fourth game pits Albright at FDU; a win for the Lions will put them in a three way tie for third.

Much is on the line for MAC field hockey programs this week as 10 or 16 teams have a mathematical chance to qualify for the two tournaments. On the Commonwealth side, Messiah is the top seed. If Lebanon Valley tops Elizabethtown, they are the two seed; if the result is reversed, the Blue Jays take the #2 spot and the Dutchmen are #3. If Alvernia defeats Albright, they are the #4 seed. Should the Crusaders stumble against the Lions, Widener can get the #4 spot by beating LVC and Arcadia. For the Freedom, Eastern is a lock for #1 and King’s for #2. If Delaware Valley, Misericordia, and FDU all end up 4-3, these are the tie breakers: DVC loses by two goals or less, they are #3 and Misericordia is #4; Aggies lose by three goals or more, Misericordia is #3 and FDU is #4. If DVC and Misericordia tie at 4-3, DVC is #3 and the Cougars are #4; If DVC and FDU tie at 4-3, the Devils are #3 and the Aggies take #4.

Men’s soccer teams also have much to play for as 11 or 16 teams can still qualify for the tournaments. Messiah and Elizabethtown will be the two hosts for the semi-final games, with Arcadia visiting one site. If Messiah defeats Elizabethtown in the end-of-season show down, they will be the top seed. Lebanon Valley is the #4 seed unless they lose or tie with both Messiah and Widener and Alvernia knocks off Arcadia. The Freedom side is more contentious as four teams are battling for two spots; Eastern and DeSales will host the semi-final games. If FDU beats Eastern at home, they are #3, and if Misericordia, King’s, and Manhattanville all tie (10 points), Manhattanville is #4. If FDU, Misericordia, King’s, and Manhattanville all tie (10 points), Manhattanville is #3 and Misericordia #4. If FDU, Misericordia, and King’s tie, Misericordia is #3 and King’s is #4. If Misericordia and King’s tie, Misericordia has the head-to-head win and is seeded higher.

In women’s soccer the semi-finals hosts are set with Messiah and Arcadia in the Commonwealth and Eastern at FDU in the Freedom. After that, there are four teams in each conference trying to get the last two tournament spots. In the Commonwealth, if LVC beats Widener, LVC is in; if they defeat Messiah, they have to tie Widener and have Alvernia tie or lose. If Alvernia (ties Arcadia) and LVC tie (defeat Widener), Alvernia has the head-to-head win and goes ahead of the Dutchmen. On the Freedom side, if Delaware Valley (plays Manhattanville) and Misericordia win (play Wilkes), the Aggies are the 3rd seed and Valiants #4.