Men’s Soccer wins back-to-back MAC champions

On Saturday, November 5, Stevens Men’s Soccer claimed their second-straight Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Championship title in their victory against Lycoming College at home. The teams remained tied after double overtime (OT), but the Ducks finally defeated the Lycoming Warriors 4-2 during penalty kicks.

In the first 90 minutes of regulation, both defenses were strong, making it difficult for both teams to create offensive opportunities. The Ducks and the Warriors each kicked just one shot on goal, but overall, Stevens outshot Lycoming 9-6. Through overtime, Stevens controlled the play, but Lycoming goalkeeper Nick Wilke made two saves, which pushed the game into penalty kicks. Senior goalkeeper Justin Cross made saves on the first and third shots to help secure the win, and senior Gareth Maritz buried the back of the net on the fourth and final opportunity for Stevens to secure the MAC Freedom Title. Sophomores Luca Campbell and Emerico Vespucci and junior Fritz Kabeisman also scored in the shootout. To close out the matchup, senior goalkeeper Justin Cross was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, as he made two saves and earned his 10th solo shutout of the season. 

The Ducks closed out the regular season undefeated with a 15-0-3 record and secured an automatic bid to the Division III NCAA Tournament. Last season, the Ducks went on an incredible run to the second round against the former reigning NCAA Champions  Tufts University. 

Stevens Men’s Soccer will play at home during the NCAA Tournament, serving as the site host for the Hoboken Regional for the first time since 2013. No. 4 Stevens will host No. 20 Middlebury College, Rowan University, and Worcester State University at the DeBaun Athletic Complex on November 12. 

The Ducks look to progress further in the postseason than last year and will be taking on Worcester State in the regional’s opening match on Saturday at 1 p.m. Rowan will take on Middlebury at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday as well, and the winners of each match will meet Sunday with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m.