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