Men's Soccer Hosts New Kensington In PSUAC Semis Monday

MEDIA, Pa. -- Top-seeded Penn State Brandywine aims to return to the Penn State University Athletic Conference men's soccer championship game for the third time in the last four years when it hosts No. 5 Penn State New Kensington on Monday at 3:00 pm at Maple Zone.

Brandywine, winner of the 2013 and 2014 PSUAC Tournament, went 9-0 against conference foes during the regular season, including a 6-1 victory at New Kensington just eight days ago.

Bill Walleekendeh (Chester, Pa./Chester) scored twice during the teams' Oct. 22 meeting, giving him 41 on the season. He leads the nation in goals as well as total points (88).

The Lions are the fourth-highest scoring team in the USCAA having scored 85 goals in 15 matches this fall. Brandywine outscored its conference opponents 63-12 and six of its nine matches were decided by three or more goals.

In addition to Walleekendeh's scoring prowess, Brad Jule (Chadds Ford, Pa./Salesianum) has compiled 12 goals and 11 assists, while Mike Usher (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) is tied for the PSUAC lead with 13 assists.

Brandywine also owns the top defense in the PSUAC as the Lions are allowing just 1.40 goals per game. Goalkeeper Joe Opdenaker (Lenni, Pa./The Christian Academy) tops the conference in goals against average (1.24), wins (13) and shutouts (3).

New Kensington advanced to the semifinal round by virtue of a 4-2 victory at Penn State Greater Allegheny on Saturday in the quarterfinals. Leading scorer Pascal Bikanura gave New Kensington the go-ahead goal early in the second half after the match was knotted at 2-2 at halftime.

The winner of Monday's game advances to Wednesday's championship match at University Park at 4:00 pm. No. 2 Beaver will face No. 3 Hazleton in Monday's other semifinal.