Pacers Fall to Neumann in CSAC Championship, 2-1
Marywood captains Ryan Jones (35) and Brett Megee (2) accepted the CSAC Runner-Up plaque Saturday after a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Neumann

Pacers Fall to Neumann in CSAC Championship, 2-1

Men's Soccer - 11/5/2011 6:02:00 PM

Box Score

Aston, PA - Host and top-seed Neumann University scored two goals midway through the first half and held off a late Marywood rally as the Knights claimed the 2011 Colonial States Athletic Conference men's soccer championship with a 2-1 win over the second seeded Pacers Saturday afternoon in Aston.  Neumann (13-4) earns the CSAC's automatic bid to the NCAA national tournament while Marywood (13-5) will await word on a possible berth to the ECAC South Region tournament.

Neumann survived serveral dangerous looks from the Pacers in the game's early moments, including a corner kick that resulted in an apparent goal for the Pacers on Marywood's first end-line attempt.  After the ball was served across the box, several deflections resulted and the ball found the back of the net.  The play was ruled dead however, and the hosts were awarded a direct kick after it was determined a push had occurred in the penalty box.

The Knights took advantage of one of their only looks at goal in the first half, capitalizing on a Marywood defensive mistake for the game's first goal.  In the 20th minute, Brandon Green took the ball down the wing and cut in to beat a defender before sliding a nice thru-ball across the middle where it found the feet of Andrew Leissing, who promptly redirected the cross into the net for a 1-0 Neumann lead.

Minutes later, the Knights used a nearly identical play to double their lead.  Green again beat a Pacer defender down the wing in the 27th minute and crossed it to Leissing, who scored once again.

Marywood continued pressure the remainder of the half, but would not break through until early in the second half.  After controlling the opening moments of the second frame, Marywood generated several shots in the Knights' 18-yard box, one of which was deflected by a Neumann player with his hand, resulting in a penalty kick.  Co-captain Ryan Jones buried the 12-yard shot to the lower right corner, cutting Neumann's lead in half.

Despite several more dangerous looks throughout the second half, Marywood could not find the back of the net again.  Both teams generated 14 shots with Marywood placing seven on goal and Neumann striking six on frame. 

Leissing was named the Championship game MVP for Neumann.  Bob Mastrillo made six stops for the Knights while Marywood's Jared El Gayeh had four saves. 

Marywood will now await word on whether they will get a bid to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region tournament.  Bids are announced Monday with the quarterfinals being played Wednesdsay at a site and time to be determined.
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