Grantham, PA - For the first time since 2011-- and the
13th time in the past 14 years-- Messiah College men's soccer is back in the NCAA Sectional Semifinals. This weekend, the Falcons will travel to York College to take on the Spartans in a highly-anticipated rematch of a
1-0 double-overtime win for Messiah from earlier in the season. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
In the other Sectional Semifinal, Stevens will be opposed by Scranton. Their game will be played at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, with Saturday's winners to play on Sunday for a chance to go to the Final Four. Sunday's Sectional Final will be played at 1:30 p.m., also at York regardless of the teams competing.
See below for a preview of the team's competing at York this weekend. Additionally, York's
NCAA Sectional hompage can be found here.
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#1 Messiah College Falcons |
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Location: Grantham, PA
Coach: Brad McCarty (4th season, 85-3-2 at Messiah)
2012 Record: 20-0-1, 9-0 Commonwealth Conference
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 24th
2012 NCAA First Round: Bye
2012 NCAA Second Round: Defeated Emory University 3-0
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 24th
Last NCAA Appearance: 2011 Second Round loss, 1-0 (OT) to Neumann University
Messiah's Team in National Statistics: 4th in scoring offense (3.33 goals per game); 5th in goals scored (70); 5th in assists (63); 2nd in goals against average (0.28).
Messiah's Players in National Statistics: Jeremy Payne is 25th in goals scored (15); Jack Thompson is 20th in assists (10); Brandon West is 2nd in goals against average (0.214) and 3rd in save percentage (0.902).
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Scouting the Falcons: Unbeaten in 21 games this season, it might be hard to separate the Falcons' year into two different parts. But if you had to, you would ironically look at the Falcons' 1-0 double-overtime win over York on Sept. 26. That game marked the first time the Falcons played with Jeremy Payne (15g, 7a), Joshua Wood (10g, 8a), Jack Thompson (10 g, 10 a), and Mike Kovach (8g, 6a) on the field at the same time-- and they haven't looked back since. In the eight games leading up to Sept. 26 Messiah averaged 2.63 goals per game; in the 12 games after that date the Falcons have scored 3.92 goals per game. While some of that can be attributed to a few lopsided Commonwealth victories, there is little argument against the Falcons having put together a ferocious offensive attack that rivals any other.
Defensively, the Falcons may be just as good. Messiah has allowed just six goals all season, as their midfield and defense are adept at keeping their backfield protected. Seniors Luke Helmuth and Logan Thompson play with the most experience on defense for Messiah, while Carter Robbins, Josh Kremers and Drew Frey also carry significant roles in protecting keeper Brandon West and the Falcons' goal. In the midfield, the Falcons play with incredible depth with Brian Ramirez and Sheldon Myer leading the way.
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York College Spartans |
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Location: York, PA
Coach: Mark Ludwig (14th season, 217-65-28 at York)
2012 Record: 18-2-3, 5-0-1 Capital Athletic Conference
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 8th
2012 NCAA First Round: Defeated St. Joseph's (L.I.) 1-0
2012 NCAA Second Round: Tied Rutgers-Camden 0-0 (4-2 PK)
Last NCAA Appearance: 2011 First Round loss, 1-0 to DeSales University
Yorks's Team in National Statistics: t-16th in goals scored (57); 15th in goals against average (0.58).
York's Players in National Statistics: Jesse Dirksen is 15th in goals against average (0.488) and 25th in save percentage (0.855).
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Scouting the Spartans: York rides a 13-game unbeaten streak into the NCAA Sectionals, including a 4-2 PK decision over Rutgers-Camden last weekend. In all, York has won 15 of their past 18 games (15-1-2). York placed a league-high seven players on the All-CAC team this season, led by senior forward Antonio Bua. He leads the Spartans with 20 points on 10 goals, and poses a challenge to opposing defensives with his strength and speed. Taylor Brummitt (7g, 2a) and Austin Johnson (5g, 4a) are second and third with 16 points and 14 points, respectively. Four more players have collected double-digit points this year, with 11 total players on York's roster having at least six points.
On defense, CAC Rookie of the Year Matt Martinez and York carry an impressive 0.58 goals against average while allowing just 14 goals total. Jesse Dirksen ranks among the nation's best in keeper statistics, making it challenging for opponents to score even if they can earn quality shots.
Unranked is the NSCAA Top 25, York is currently ranked No. 18 on D3Soccer.com.
Snapshot History of Messiah and York
Messiah's Record: 18-9-1
Messiah's Goals For-Against: 68-47
Last Game Played: Sept. 26, 2012 – Messiah 1-0 (2OT), Regular Season
Current Streak: Messiah, Three Wins
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#5 Steven's Institute of Technology |
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Location: Hoboken, NJ
Coach: Devin Rensing (2nd season, 26-5-2 at Stevens)
2012 Record: 18-2-1, 7-0-0 Empire Eight Conference
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 12th
2012 NCAA First Round: Defeated Methodist University 2-0
2012 NCAA Second Round: Defeated Haverford College 3-0
Last NCAA Appearance: 2011 Sectional Finals loss, 1-0 to Montclair State College
Stevens' Team in National Statistics: 34th in goals scored (51); 4th in goals against average (0.38).
Stevens' Players in National Statistics: Paul Killian is 3rd in goals against average (0.297) and 2nd in save percentage (0.918).
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Scouting the Ducks: How the Ducks got here: Like the Falcons, Stevens has four players with 20+ points in 2012, with Victor Daza (31 points) leading in goals (12). He and Zach Adler each have seven assists to lead the Ducks. Joe Cellitti (9g, 5a) and Stephen Dunbar (9g, 3a) are two other 20-point scorers for Stevens. Daza was named the Empire 8 Player of the Year this season, leading seven Ducks on the All-Conference team.
Stevens enters their contest with Scranton as the No. 5 team in the country and riding a 17-match unbeaten streak. The Ducks have made 12-straight NCAA Appearances—most of them by way of their nine-straight conference titles. A perennial top-10 team, Stevens is also ranked No. 1 in the NSCAA East Region.
Stevens and Messiah are quite similar when reviewing defensive statistics, with keeper Paul Killian being the last line of defense for a stingy back row that has allowed just eight goals all season.
Snapshot History of Messiah and Stevens
Messiah's Record: 2-1-0
Messiah's Goals For-Against: 3-4
Last Game Played: Dec. 6, 2008 – Messiah 1-1 (2OT, 3-0 PK), National Championship
Current Streak: Messiah, Two Wins
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University of Scranton Royals |
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Location: Scranton, PA
Coach: Matt Pivirotto (14th season, 108-120-27 at Scranton)
2012 Record: 16-2-2, 6-1 Landmark Conference
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 14th
2012 NCAA First Round: Defeated Elms College 6-0
2012 NCAA Second Round: Defeated Colorado College 2-1 (OT)
Last NCAA Appearance: 1993 First Round loss, 2-0 to Elizabethtown College
Scranton's Team in National Statistics: 34th in goals against average (0.77).
Scranton's Players in National Statistics: James Dillon is 48th in goals against average (0.783).
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Scouting the Royals: Scranton University earned an at-large bid into the NCAAs after losing to 1-0 Susquehanna in the Landmark Championships. It is their first national postseason berth since 1993, and their first under head coach Matt Pivirotto. Scranton has received votes for the NSCAA Top 25 Poll, but is ranked No. 25 on D3Soccer.com. The Royals are also ranked No. 4 in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region.
Bill McGuiness leads the team in both goals (12) and assists (7), while Kevin Kozic is second on the team with 20 points by way of 10 goals scored. Scranton has scored just 47 goals this season, but they've held opponents to just 16 goals for a 0.77 goals against average as a team.
The History of Messiah and Scranton
Messiah's Record: 15-5-0
Messiah's Goals For-Against: 38-19
Last Game Played: Nov. 4, 1998 – Messiah 6-0, Conference Semifinal
Current Streak: Messiah, Four Wins
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