What is becoming a fall tradition, Messiah completed another phenomenal weekend. Men’s soccer easily defeated Medaille 2-0 on Saturday and dominated Merchant Marine 3-0 on Sunday; women’s soccer cruised by Dickinson 3-0, but had their toughest challenge in a while prevailing over Johns Hopkins 2-1. With these wins, the soccer teams now travel to San Antonio for the Final Four on November 3-4. On Friday, the men (21-1) face Wisconsin-Oshkosh (20-0-3) at Noon (ET) and the women (23-0) play William Smith (18-2-3). Assuming they win, the men will play the winner of Bowdoin (15-1-4) and Lynchburg (19-4-1) on Saturday; the women take on either Harden Simmons (23-0) or Otterbein (20-0-3) at 6 (ET). Field hockey looked as though they were set to give Jan Trapp her first national championship as they overwhelmed the tournament field, but two-time national champion Bowdoin had other plans on Sunday. Both teams had been scoring at will (Bowdoin’s closest call was a 4-3 overtime win over Lebanon Valley in Maine), but Sunday ended 1-1 in regulation with the Falcons coming up short on strokes (2-1) after the overtime.
Delaware Valley football (9-2) scored another NCAA championship victory by knocking off Salisbury at home 23-12. They travel to Alliance, Ohio this weekend to face off with ten-time national champion Mount Union, ranked #2 in the nation. After winning the Ohio Athletic Conference, the Purple Raiders overwhelmed Liberty League Champion St. Lawrence 49-0 in the first round of the NCAA’s. Mount Union and Wisconsin-Whitewater have competed in the last five Stagg Bowls in Salem, Va. If the Aggies happened to upset the Mount, they would have to be contenders for a spot in the championship. While it may seem a daunting task, DVC is well balanced with a great defense and a significant running and passing game so the Raiders will have to prepare for all aspects of the game.
The Elizabethtown harriers represented the conference in top fashion at Wartburg, Iowa on Saturday with the women finishing 11th and the men 14th. The three MAC individual competitors also had fine races with Caitlin Dorgan (DVC) attaining All-America status finishing 28th, Jenn Cronin (LVC) just missing All America placing 41st, and Messiah’s Tyler Newhook finishing 89th in the men’s race.
The Lycoming men and Lebanon Valley women are off to 4-0 starts in basketball.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
On Friday, the MAC had nine teams involved in NCAA championships and today they have six plus three individuals. Over the weekend, fall championship teams compiled a 9-6 record with Messiah’s soccer teams and field hockey team advancing.
In volleyball, Lebanon Valley defeated Ithaca 3-1 before falling to perennial national power Juniata, and Eastern had an easy time with Richard Stockton (3-0) before succumbing to Christopher Newport (3-2), a team the Eagles had beaten earlier in the year. Both Juniata and CNU won again on Sunday and head to St. Louis with six other teams to compete for the national crown. Fairleigh Dickinson Florham, seeded third in the ECAC Metro/Upstate volleyball tournament, upended #2 seed Ramapo and then finished the job against #1 seed Elmira to bring home the hardware.
In field hockey, Eastern defeated Stevens 1-0 and then fell to host Skidmore 4-3 while Lebanon Valley used their scoring prowess to knock off Cortland 5-4 and then lose to host Bowdoin 4-3 in overtime. Messiah had an easy time advancing by beating Lynchburg 7-0 and Salisbury 4-1. The Lynchburg victory avenged a 2-1 defeat in Virginia earlier in the season, and the Falcons, loser of the 2009 championship game to Salisbury 1-0, have now topped the Seagulls twice this year (3-0 in Grantham earlier is season). They now face Ursinus in the semi-finals at 11 AM at Christopher Newport University, a team they defeated earlier at Collegeville 4-2 and in last year’s semi-finals 4-3.
In men’s soccer, DeSales lost a tough one to Swarthmore on their field 2-1. Messiah had to go to overtime to top Montclair 2-1 at home and now play Medaille, penalty kick winner over Swarthmore.
In women’s soccer, #1 Messiah easily handled MAC foe Manhattanville and NJAC representative Rowan by identical scores, 4-0. They now face Dickinson.
With cross country regionals behind them, two MAC teams and three individuals prepare to travel to Wartburg, Iowa next weekend for the NCAA championship meet. Elizabethtown, winners of the men’s and women’s races at the MAC meet two weeks ago, ran third (women) and fourth (men) at Slippery Rock this past Saturday and earned at-large bids for their performance. Caitlin Dorgan, Delaware Valley runner who had won seven straight races, took second at regionals by a nose – the film had to be reviewed to verify the finish. She, Jenn Cronin, Lebanon Valley, and Tyler Newhook, Messiah join the two Blue Jay teams in Iowa.
It was not mystery heading into the last week on conference play that Delaware Valley (6-1, 8-2) was conference champion and would by the MAC AQ in the NCAA championships. What was a surprise, was their loss to rival Widener 28-27 as the clock ran out. The Pride (4-3, 5-5) ended the season by defeating the two top MAC teams – DVC and Wilkes. Despite the loss, the Aggies host Salisbury at Noon this Saturday and if they win, are likely to head to Alliance, Ohio to face perennial national champion Mount Union who plays a 5-5 St. Lawrence team in the first round. Lebanon Valley (5-2, 6-4) was picked to finish second in the conference, but after opening the season 1-4, a winning record looked like a challenge. They responded with five straight wins, the last this weekend against Albright (3-4, 5-5), to earn an ECAC Bowl bid for the second year in a row. They go to Baltimore to challenge Centennial foe Johns Hopkins (7-3). Based on records, it didn’t look as though King’s (1-6, 1-9) would have much of a chance against in-town rival Wilkes (5-2, 6-4), but the Colonels needed everything to prevail 21-17 and earn an ECAC bid at home against Moravian, loser to Lebanon Valley in the third week of the season. After three straight conference losses, Lycoming (4-3, 6-4) had to pull all the stops to beat FDU (0-7, 3-7) 17-10 in Madison.
In volleyball, Lebanon Valley defeated Ithaca 3-1 before falling to perennial national power Juniata, and Eastern had an easy time with Richard Stockton (3-0) before succumbing to Christopher Newport (3-2), a team the Eagles had beaten earlier in the year. Both Juniata and CNU won again on Sunday and head to St. Louis with six other teams to compete for the national crown. Fairleigh Dickinson Florham, seeded third in the ECAC Metro/Upstate volleyball tournament, upended #2 seed Ramapo and then finished the job against #1 seed Elmira to bring home the hardware.
In field hockey, Eastern defeated Stevens 1-0 and then fell to host Skidmore 4-3 while Lebanon Valley used their scoring prowess to knock off Cortland 5-4 and then lose to host Bowdoin 4-3 in overtime. Messiah had an easy time advancing by beating Lynchburg 7-0 and Salisbury 4-1. The Lynchburg victory avenged a 2-1 defeat in Virginia earlier in the season, and the Falcons, loser of the 2009 championship game to Salisbury 1-0, have now topped the Seagulls twice this year (3-0 in Grantham earlier is season). They now face Ursinus in the semi-finals at 11 AM at Christopher Newport University, a team they defeated earlier at Collegeville 4-2 and in last year’s semi-finals 4-3.
In men’s soccer, DeSales lost a tough one to Swarthmore on their field 2-1. Messiah had to go to overtime to top Montclair 2-1 at home and now play Medaille, penalty kick winner over Swarthmore.
In women’s soccer, #1 Messiah easily handled MAC foe Manhattanville and NJAC representative Rowan by identical scores, 4-0. They now face Dickinson.
With cross country regionals behind them, two MAC teams and three individuals prepare to travel to Wartburg, Iowa next weekend for the NCAA championship meet. Elizabethtown, winners of the men’s and women’s races at the MAC meet two weeks ago, ran third (women) and fourth (men) at Slippery Rock this past Saturday and earned at-large bids for their performance. Caitlin Dorgan, Delaware Valley runner who had won seven straight races, took second at regionals by a nose – the film had to be reviewed to verify the finish. She, Jenn Cronin, Lebanon Valley, and Tyler Newhook, Messiah join the two Blue Jay teams in Iowa.
It was not mystery heading into the last week on conference play that Delaware Valley (6-1, 8-2) was conference champion and would by the MAC AQ in the NCAA championships. What was a surprise, was their loss to rival Widener 28-27 as the clock ran out. The Pride (4-3, 5-5) ended the season by defeating the two top MAC teams – DVC and Wilkes. Despite the loss, the Aggies host Salisbury at Noon this Saturday and if they win, are likely to head to Alliance, Ohio to face perennial national champion Mount Union who plays a 5-5 St. Lawrence team in the first round. Lebanon Valley (5-2, 6-4) was picked to finish second in the conference, but after opening the season 1-4, a winning record looked like a challenge. They responded with five straight wins, the last this weekend against Albright (3-4, 5-5), to earn an ECAC Bowl bid for the second year in a row. They go to Baltimore to challenge Centennial foe Johns Hopkins (7-3). Based on records, it didn’t look as though King’s (1-6, 1-9) would have much of a chance against in-town rival Wilkes (5-2, 6-4), but the Colonels needed everything to prevail 21-17 and earn an ECAC bid at home against Moravian, loser to Lebanon Valley in the third week of the season. After three straight conference losses, Lycoming (4-3, 6-4) had to pull all the stops to beat FDU (0-7, 3-7) 17-10 in Madison.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Four MAC teams advanced in ECAC action yesterday. Fairleigh Dickinson prevailed in two contests. The women’s soccer team hammered St. Joseph’s (LI) 4-0 and will play cross-street rival Drew at Stockton on Saturday. Volleyball knocked off Old Westbury 3-0 and will travel to Elmira on Saturday. Misericordia men’s soccer defeated regional foe Maywood 3-1 and head to Stevenson for a match against Grove City. And Alvernia women’s soccer, having their best season ever, held on to beat former PAC (now CSAC) opponent Cabrini 2-1. They hope to keep the party going as they play Frostburg on Saturday in western Md.
Although Delaware Valley (6-0, 8-1), the #8 nationally ranked and top ranked regional team, have sewn up the MAC, they want to protect their home field advantage in the NCAA tournament by winning the Keystone Cup over rival Widener (3-3, 4-5). For the Pride, a victory would be a great accomplishment (a winning record in the MAC and .500 overall) for first-year coach Isaac Collins. The other three games also have major impact on the MAC standings and ECAC bids. After winning four straight, Lebanon Valley (4-2, 5-4) needs to beat Albright (3-3, 5-4) at home to keep pace with Wilkes for 2nd place and to possibly get an ECAC Bowl Bid. If the Lions prevail, they would be guaranteed a tie for third, and maybe second, in the conference and move ahead of the Dutchmen for that possible ECAC opportunity. Wilkes (4-2, 5-4) has the inside edge on Albright and LVC for the ECAC bid, as they defeated both teams and face King’s (1-5, 1-8) in the Mayor’s Cup game. On paper, this rivalry may favor Wilkes, but the Monarchs, under first year coach Jeff Knarr, would love to build on their big win over FDU last week and end the season on a winning note. Lycoming (3-3, 5-4) is not ECAC eligible but want to rebound after three straight conference losses to stay in the mix for a possible third place finish. They travel to FDU (0-6, 3-6) who won their three opening non-conference games but have struggled in the MAC. One NCAA qualifier and two ECAC bowl games would be nice finish for the MAC after a sub-par .500 non-conference start.
The regional cross country meet is at Cooper’s Lake Campground in Slippery Rock. The #15 Elizabethtown men overwhelmed the MAC field two weeks ago by placing eight of the top ten finishers. Unless the wheels come off, they have the MAC’s best chance of qualifying a team for nationals. Messiah’s Tyler Newhook, the 2009 MAC champion, finished third this year and hopes to qualify as an individual; William Cooney, Misericordia, finished eight at Delaware Valley and hopes to extend his season next weekend at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. For the women, Elizabethtown also won the conference with 38 points, but are going to be more challenged than their counterparts to get to nationals. The big story for the women is how Caitlin Dorgan of Delaware Valley, winner of seven straight races, and MAC runner-up, Jenn Cronin, LVC, will finish out their careers.
For those of you tracking NCAA action:
On Friday:
Volleyball
Lebanon vs. Ithaca at Frostburg, 12:30 PM
Eastern vs. Richard Stockton at Christopher Newport, 3:30 PM
On Saturday:
Men’s Soccer
DeSales vs. Swarthmore at Swarthmore, 5 PM
Women’s Soccer:
Messiah vs. Manhattanville at Rowan, 11 AM
Field Hockey:
Lynchburg at Messiah, 11 AM
Lebanon Valley vs. SUNY Cortland at Bowdoin, 2 PM
Eastern vs.Stevens at Skidmore, 1 PM
On Sunday:
Men's Soccer
Montclair/New York Maritime at Messiah, 6 PM
Although Delaware Valley (6-0, 8-1), the #8 nationally ranked and top ranked regional team, have sewn up the MAC, they want to protect their home field advantage in the NCAA tournament by winning the Keystone Cup over rival Widener (3-3, 4-5). For the Pride, a victory would be a great accomplishment (a winning record in the MAC and .500 overall) for first-year coach Isaac Collins. The other three games also have major impact on the MAC standings and ECAC bids. After winning four straight, Lebanon Valley (4-2, 5-4) needs to beat Albright (3-3, 5-4) at home to keep pace with Wilkes for 2nd place and to possibly get an ECAC Bowl Bid. If the Lions prevail, they would be guaranteed a tie for third, and maybe second, in the conference and move ahead of the Dutchmen for that possible ECAC opportunity. Wilkes (4-2, 5-4) has the inside edge on Albright and LVC for the ECAC bid, as they defeated both teams and face King’s (1-5, 1-8) in the Mayor’s Cup game. On paper, this rivalry may favor Wilkes, but the Monarchs, under first year coach Jeff Knarr, would love to build on their big win over FDU last week and end the season on a winning note. Lycoming (3-3, 5-4) is not ECAC eligible but want to rebound after three straight conference losses to stay in the mix for a possible third place finish. They travel to FDU (0-6, 3-6) who won their three opening non-conference games but have struggled in the MAC. One NCAA qualifier and two ECAC bowl games would be nice finish for the MAC after a sub-par .500 non-conference start.
The regional cross country meet is at Cooper’s Lake Campground in Slippery Rock. The #15 Elizabethtown men overwhelmed the MAC field two weeks ago by placing eight of the top ten finishers. Unless the wheels come off, they have the MAC’s best chance of qualifying a team for nationals. Messiah’s Tyler Newhook, the 2009 MAC champion, finished third this year and hopes to qualify as an individual; William Cooney, Misericordia, finished eight at Delaware Valley and hopes to extend his season next weekend at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. For the women, Elizabethtown also won the conference with 38 points, but are going to be more challenged than their counterparts to get to nationals. The big story for the women is how Caitlin Dorgan of Delaware Valley, winner of seven straight races, and MAC runner-up, Jenn Cronin, LVC, will finish out their careers.
For those of you tracking NCAA action:
On Friday:
Volleyball
Lebanon vs. Ithaca at Frostburg, 12:30 PM
Eastern vs. Richard Stockton at Christopher Newport, 3:30 PM
On Saturday:
Men’s Soccer
DeSales vs. Swarthmore at Swarthmore, 5 PM
Women’s Soccer:
Messiah vs. Manhattanville at Rowan, 11 AM
Field Hockey:
Lynchburg at Messiah, 11 AM
Lebanon Valley vs. SUNY Cortland at Bowdoin, 2 PM
Eastern vs.Stevens at Skidmore, 1 PM
On Sunday:
Men's Soccer
Montclair/New York Maritime at Messiah, 6 PM
Monday, November 8, 2010
Congratulations to Delaware Valley football for winning the MAC and receiving automatic qualification to the NCAA football championship that culminates at the Stagg Bowl in December in Salem, Va. The Aggies play Widener in their regular season finale this Saturday. If they win that game, they should have a good shot of hosting a game or two in Doylestown.
Cross country travels to western Pa. for regionals this weekend with Carnegie Mellon hosting. Elizabethtown men are shooting for a good team finish and a shot at nationals, and several individuals (top women finishers Caitlin Dorgan and Jenn Cronin) hope for individual invitations for the NCAA championship at Wartburg (Iowa).
The MAC did not do well in the NCAA 2010 selection process, as only one program, Lebanon Valley field hockey, received an at-large bid. The #2 Dutchmen received a first round bye and will travel to Bowdoin this weekend for a Saturday game against the Cortland-Mass Dartmouth winner. #8 Eastern (19-2) also receives a first round bye and plays the winner of Stevens and SUNY Geneseo at Skidmore Saturday. As the top seed, #1 Messiah hosts a foursome this weekend. The Falcons are in a different bracket than LVC so they would not meet until the final game at Christopher Newport next weekend – Messiah has topped the Dutchman twice this year for their only loses.
In volleyball, the MAC teams usually have to head to national power Juniata every year, but not this season. #8 Eastern will travel to Christopher Newport to play Richard Stockton on Friday where they face teams that they have a 5-0 record against this fall. They will play the winner of Gallaudet/Christopher Newport. The Eagles beat Gallaudet 3-0 and CNU, one of only two losses for the hosts. After winning their third straight Commonwealth championship, Lebanon Valley (23-9) plays Ithaca (22-14) at Frostburg at 12:30 on Friday. If they win, they will play the winner of Juniata/Cabrini on Saturday.
In men’s soccer, DeSales is away at Swarthmore 15-1-3) and Messiah hosts the winner of the Montclair/SUNY Maritime this weekend. For the women, the opening round features the two MAC teams (Manhattanville and Messiah) at Rowan. The Valiants have the unenviable task of taking on the Falcons, two-time national champions who are ranked #1 this year with an 18-0 record.
As more dates and times become available, we will keep you informed
Cross country travels to western Pa. for regionals this weekend with Carnegie Mellon hosting. Elizabethtown men are shooting for a good team finish and a shot at nationals, and several individuals (top women finishers Caitlin Dorgan and Jenn Cronin) hope for individual invitations for the NCAA championship at Wartburg (Iowa).
The MAC did not do well in the NCAA 2010 selection process, as only one program, Lebanon Valley field hockey, received an at-large bid. The #2 Dutchmen received a first round bye and will travel to Bowdoin this weekend for a Saturday game against the Cortland-Mass Dartmouth winner. #8 Eastern (19-2) also receives a first round bye and plays the winner of Stevens and SUNY Geneseo at Skidmore Saturday. As the top seed, #1 Messiah hosts a foursome this weekend. The Falcons are in a different bracket than LVC so they would not meet until the final game at Christopher Newport next weekend – Messiah has topped the Dutchman twice this year for their only loses.
In volleyball, the MAC teams usually have to head to national power Juniata every year, but not this season. #8 Eastern will travel to Christopher Newport to play Richard Stockton on Friday where they face teams that they have a 5-0 record against this fall. They will play the winner of Gallaudet/Christopher Newport. The Eagles beat Gallaudet 3-0 and CNU, one of only two losses for the hosts. After winning their third straight Commonwealth championship, Lebanon Valley (23-9) plays Ithaca (22-14) at Frostburg at 12:30 on Friday. If they win, they will play the winner of Juniata/Cabrini on Saturday.
In men’s soccer, DeSales is away at Swarthmore 15-1-3) and Messiah hosts the winner of the Montclair/SUNY Maritime this weekend. For the women, the opening round features the two MAC teams (Manhattanville and Messiah) at Rowan. The Valiants have the unenviable task of taking on the Falcons, two-time national champions who are ranked #1 this year with an 18-0 record.
As more dates and times become available, we will keep you informed
Friday, November 5, 2010
Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham, Lebanon Valley, Messiah, and Eastern had all their fall teams (volleyball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, and field hockey) qualify for the conference championships this week. Ten of those sixteen teams advance and will compete for the right to be in the NCAA tournament next week.
In field hockey, Messiah and Eastern will try to defend their 2009 conference crowns. #8 Eastern advances after shutting out Delaware Valley at home. After a tough 2-1 double overtime win against FDU, King’s travels to Eastern to try to knock off the two-time Freedom Conference champs in a 1 PM game. In the regular season, the Monarchs lost 4-3 to the Eagles at home. Messiah and Lebanon Valley are regular combatants for the Commonwealth title, and this year is no different. Messiah advances after an easy win over Alvernia, but the Dutchman had a much tougher time prevailing over Elizabethtown 4-2. This game features the #1 (Falcons) and #2 (Dutchmen), so both are assured of NCAA post-season play, but the conference championship may impact their seeding. In the regular season, Messiah won in 3-2 in overtime on LVC’s grass field. This time they square off on the Falcon’s turf at 1 PM, definitely a home field advantage.
The #8 Eastern volleyball team advances to the Freedom championship match at 6 PM on Saturday with a win over DeSales on Wednesday; FDU did not have as easy a time reaching the championship as they had to dig deep to overcome a Misericordia 2-1 lead. The Devils are 30-7 but lost to the Eagles 3-0 in the regular season. FDU will also be facing a gym full of partisan Eastern fans who expect to see their team go deep into the NCAA tournament next week. Elizabethtown and Lebanon Valley have dominated the Commonwealth in recent years with LVC prevailing the last two seasons. Things may reverse this year as the Dutchman have to travel to Elizabethtown and lost to the Jays on their court 3-1 last week. In the semi-finals, Etown avenged an early season loss to Widener with a 3-0 win; LVC had to come from 2-0 down to win 15-12 in the final set to Messiah. Things should be rocking in Thompson Gym at 3 PM tomorrow.
Many feel the #1 undefeated Messiah women’s soccer team will hang another NCAA championship banner in Grantham, but visiting Arcadia hopes to help their case in getting a shot at the NCAA’s as they meet the Falcons on Saturday at 5 PM. Messiah has allowed two goals all year, one on them in the 3-1 win over the Knights. Arcadia, ranked #6 in the region, battled Lebanon Valley (#7 in region) to a 1-0 victory on Wednesday as the Falcons cruised past Alvernia. This is a repeat of last year’s Commonwealth championship game. The Freedom Conference will have a new champion this year, as Eastern, the 2008 and 2009 champs, fell to Manhattanville at home on penalty kicks. The Valiants head to FDU for the title game at 1 PM where the Devils defeated them 1-0 in the regular season. This past week FDU was ranked #8 in the region, but had to overcome a 1-0 Misericordia lead to win 2-1 and advance to Saturday’s championship.
The Freedom Conference will have a new champion this year, as Misericordia, the 2008 and 2009 champ, lost 2-1 to DeSales on Tuesday. The Bulldogs host Eastern who won 2-1 on a penalty kick in overtime against FDU, the team that beat them the previous week. The Eagles lost to DeSales in Center Valley 2-0, and will again have to contend with an unfamiliar grass field. Commonwealth power #3 Messiah has won 17 straight after an opening season overtime loss to Hobart. They host their cross-river rival Elizabethtown at 8 PM on Saturday. The Blue Jays are ranked #8 in the region and hope a strong performance pushes them into the NCAA tournament if they don’t win. The Falcons won the regular season match up 3-1 last weekend in the infamous marshmallow game with about 3,000 in attendance.
Delaware Valley (5-0, 7-1), ranked #8 in the nation, hopes to clinch the MAC football title and NCAA bid as they head to Albright (3-2, 5-3) for a 1 PM game. Albright’s powerful offense will face the top defense in the league as the Aggies have relinquished two touchdowns in their last three games, and only about eight points a game overall. Wilkes (4-1, 5-3) heads down the Turnpike to Chester for a tough game against Widener (2-3, 3-5). On paper in looks as though the Colonels are the favorite, but the Pride’s last two losses were by a total of 11 points to Albright and Lebanon Valley. The Dutchmen (3-2, 4-4) play at Lycoming (3-2, 5-3) for a shot at moving into second place in the MAC standings. LVC has won two straight with close wins over King’s and Widener; the Warriors have suffered two straight setbacks against the top MAC teams, DVC and Wilkes. FDU (0-5, 3-5) travel to King’s (0-5, 0-8) for a battle for seventh place.
In field hockey, Messiah and Eastern will try to defend their 2009 conference crowns. #8 Eastern advances after shutting out Delaware Valley at home. After a tough 2-1 double overtime win against FDU, King’s travels to Eastern to try to knock off the two-time Freedom Conference champs in a 1 PM game. In the regular season, the Monarchs lost 4-3 to the Eagles at home. Messiah and Lebanon Valley are regular combatants for the Commonwealth title, and this year is no different. Messiah advances after an easy win over Alvernia, but the Dutchman had a much tougher time prevailing over Elizabethtown 4-2. This game features the #1 (Falcons) and #2 (Dutchmen), so both are assured of NCAA post-season play, but the conference championship may impact their seeding. In the regular season, Messiah won in 3-2 in overtime on LVC’s grass field. This time they square off on the Falcon’s turf at 1 PM, definitely a home field advantage.
The #8 Eastern volleyball team advances to the Freedom championship match at 6 PM on Saturday with a win over DeSales on Wednesday; FDU did not have as easy a time reaching the championship as they had to dig deep to overcome a Misericordia 2-1 lead. The Devils are 30-7 but lost to the Eagles 3-0 in the regular season. FDU will also be facing a gym full of partisan Eastern fans who expect to see their team go deep into the NCAA tournament next week. Elizabethtown and Lebanon Valley have dominated the Commonwealth in recent years with LVC prevailing the last two seasons. Things may reverse this year as the Dutchman have to travel to Elizabethtown and lost to the Jays on their court 3-1 last week. In the semi-finals, Etown avenged an early season loss to Widener with a 3-0 win; LVC had to come from 2-0 down to win 15-12 in the final set to Messiah. Things should be rocking in Thompson Gym at 3 PM tomorrow.
Many feel the #1 undefeated Messiah women’s soccer team will hang another NCAA championship banner in Grantham, but visiting Arcadia hopes to help their case in getting a shot at the NCAA’s as they meet the Falcons on Saturday at 5 PM. Messiah has allowed two goals all year, one on them in the 3-1 win over the Knights. Arcadia, ranked #6 in the region, battled Lebanon Valley (#7 in region) to a 1-0 victory on Wednesday as the Falcons cruised past Alvernia. This is a repeat of last year’s Commonwealth championship game. The Freedom Conference will have a new champion this year, as Eastern, the 2008 and 2009 champs, fell to Manhattanville at home on penalty kicks. The Valiants head to FDU for the title game at 1 PM where the Devils defeated them 1-0 in the regular season. This past week FDU was ranked #8 in the region, but had to overcome a 1-0 Misericordia lead to win 2-1 and advance to Saturday’s championship.
The Freedom Conference will have a new champion this year, as Misericordia, the 2008 and 2009 champ, lost 2-1 to DeSales on Tuesday. The Bulldogs host Eastern who won 2-1 on a penalty kick in overtime against FDU, the team that beat them the previous week. The Eagles lost to DeSales in Center Valley 2-0, and will again have to contend with an unfamiliar grass field. Commonwealth power #3 Messiah has won 17 straight after an opening season overtime loss to Hobart. They host their cross-river rival Elizabethtown at 8 PM on Saturday. The Blue Jays are ranked #8 in the region and hope a strong performance pushes them into the NCAA tournament if they don’t win. The Falcons won the regular season match up 3-1 last weekend in the infamous marshmallow game with about 3,000 in attendance.
Delaware Valley (5-0, 7-1), ranked #8 in the nation, hopes to clinch the MAC football title and NCAA bid as they head to Albright (3-2, 5-3) for a 1 PM game. Albright’s powerful offense will face the top defense in the league as the Aggies have relinquished two touchdowns in their last three games, and only about eight points a game overall. Wilkes (4-1, 5-3) heads down the Turnpike to Chester for a tough game against Widener (2-3, 3-5). On paper in looks as though the Colonels are the favorite, but the Pride’s last two losses were by a total of 11 points to Albright and Lebanon Valley. The Dutchmen (3-2, 4-4) play at Lycoming (3-2, 5-3) for a shot at moving into second place in the MAC standings. LVC has won two straight with close wins over King’s and Widener; the Warriors have suffered two straight setbacks against the top MAC teams, DVC and Wilkes. FDU (0-5, 3-5) travel to King’s (0-5, 0-8) for a battle for seventh place.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
MAC FALL 2010 TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Men’s Soccer
Freedom
#2 Eastern at #1 DeSales 1 PM
Commonwealth
#2 Elizabethtown at #1 Messiah 8 PM
Women’s Soccer
Freedom
#3 Manhattanville at #1 Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham 1 PM
Commonwealth
#2 Arcadia at #1 Messiah 5 PM
Volleyball
Freedom
#2 Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham at #1 Eastern 6 PM
Commonwealth
#2 Lebanon Valley at #1 Elizabethtown 3 PM
Field Hockey
Freedom
#2 King’s at #1 Eastern 1 PM
Commonwealth
#2 Lebanon Valley at #1 Messiah 1 PM
The winner of each tournament receives automatic qualification to the NCAA tournament.
Admission:
Adults $5
Seniors $4
Students $2
Under 6 Free
Results at gomacsports.com
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Men’s Soccer
Freedom
#2 Eastern at #1 DeSales 1 PM
Commonwealth
#2 Elizabethtown at #1 Messiah 8 PM
Women’s Soccer
Freedom
#3 Manhattanville at #1 Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham 1 PM
Commonwealth
#2 Arcadia at #1 Messiah 5 PM
Volleyball
Freedom
#2 Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham at #1 Eastern 6 PM
Commonwealth
#2 Lebanon Valley at #1 Elizabethtown 3 PM
Field Hockey
Freedom
#2 King’s at #1 Eastern 1 PM
Commonwealth
#2 Lebanon Valley at #1 Messiah 1 PM
The winner of each tournament receives automatic qualification to the NCAA tournament.
Admission:
Adults $5
Seniors $4
Students $2
Under 6 Free
Results at gomacsports.com
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