Men’s Soccer Travels To West Virginia For USCAA Tournament

MEDIA, Pennsylvania -- Penn State Brandywine will compete at the USCAA Men's Soccer Tournament for the second-straight year, beginning Wednesday with a matchup against seventh-seeded Maine-Machias at 11:00 am in Charleston, West Virginia.

After claiming the PSUAC championship for the second consecutive season last Wednesday, the Lions will square off with the Clippers in a rematch of last year's first round match, won by Maine-Machias by a 6-1 count. Sophomore Bill Walleekendeh accounted for the Lions' lone goal, a free kick from 20 yards out during the 38th minute.

Brandywine, seeded 10th in the USCAA Tournament, earned an automatic bid following its 1-0 triumph over York at University Park in the PSUAC title match. Freshman goalkeeper Patrick O'Neill stopped all four shots he faced to give the Lions their first shutout of the season, while junior Nabieu Sesay scored the game-winning goal, a rebound off a shot by senior Frenc Baro during the 43rd minute.

The Lions enter the tournament having won six-straight and nine of their last 10 matches. Brandywine, which had not won a conference title since 1989 prior to last season, will be looking for its first-ever victory at the USCAA Tournament.

During its last 10 games, Brandywine has scored at least four goals on six occasions and reached the 10-goal mark three times. The Lions rank ninth nationally, averaging 3.6 goals per game overall, led by Walleekendeh, who has produced 23 goals, the third-highest total in the USCAA. Freshman Patrick Lutes has aided the offense with 11 goals and seven assists for 29 points, while junior Manny Weldemicael (10g, 5a) and senior Brad Jule (6g, 8a) have also reached the 20-point mark.

Defensively, O'Neill shone during the PSUAC Tournament after stepping in for senior Nick Previti, who was injured during the Lions' final regular-season game. O'Neill has made eight saves during the last two matches, while compiling a goals-against average of 1.00. In front of O'Neill, senior defenders Sam Houlette and Andrew Sinigaglio have both appeared in all 19 games, providing leadership for the Lions, who have allowed 1.2 goals per game during their six-match winning streak.

Maine-Machias, which has also won six matches in a row, won the Yankee Small College Conference for the second-straight season and owns a 12-2 overall record. Juan Solares leads the Clippers with 39 points (17g, 5a), while Robert Devone and Everett Senetar have split time in goal, both posting one shutout.

The winner of Wednesday's match advances to face No. 2 seed West Virginia Tech in the quarterfinals on Thursday at 7:30 pm.