GLENSIDE, Pa. – The Arcadia University men's soccer team enters this week's MAC Commonwealth Championship Tournament as the fifth seed after posting a 3-3-2 record against conference opponents in the regular season. As the fifth seed, the Knights have a date with fourth-seeded Hood in the First Round of the conference tournament set for Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Frederick, Maryland.
TICKETING INFORMATION: Per conference policy, all fans must pay admission for playoff contests. Prices are as follows: adults $5, seniors $4, students $2 and children under the age of six are free.
MERCHANDISE: Long sleeve t-shirts will be available for purchase for $18 each while supplies last.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
First-Round Game – Tuesday, November 1
Game 1 – No. 5 Arcadia at No. 4 Hood 2 p.m.
Semifinals: Thursday, November 3
Game 2 – Game 1 Winner at No. 1 Messiah 7 p.m.
Game 3 – No. 3 Alvernia at No. 2 Lebanon Valley 2 p.m.
Final: Saturday, November 5
Game 4 – Game 2 Winner vs Game 3 Winner [at highest remaining seed]
LIVE COVERAGE: Can't make it to the game? Follow along with live stats or watch the live video stream.
ABOUT ARCADIA: After starting 6-2-1 in non-conference action, the Knights went 0-2-1 in their first three MAC Commonwealth games. Arcadia turned its season around by winning its next three conference matches before the season ended with a 3-3-2 MAC Commonwealth mark. A 1-1 tie at Widener secured a playoff spot for the Scarlet and Grey before ending the regular season with a 3-0 setback to No. 9 Messiah.
ARCADIA LEADERS: Arcadia is led by junior
Bradley McKim, who has 11 goals and four assists for 26 points. Classmate
Tyler Ihle is the team's second-leading point getter with seven points on three goals and an assist. Four different players have recorded six points; freshman
Pat Hartman collected his on three goals, while junior
Ryan Keeter and sophomores
Ryan Hammer and
Manny Camacho each scored twice and handing out two assists. In goal, junior
Chris Watson posted a 9-6-3 record in the regular season with a 1.02 goals against average and a .769 save percentage on 221 shots faced.
ABOUT HOOD: The Blazers started conference play 3-0 before closing out MAC Commonwealth competition at 4-3-1, garnering the fourth seed in the MAC Commonwealth Championship Tournament. The team's most recent contest resulted in a 6-1 win over Widener in Saturday's regular season finale. Clay Smith led the way in the win with a pair of goals.
HOOD LEADERS: Drew Demich leads the Blazer offense with 31 points while tying for the team lead in goals with 13 and tying for second on the team in assists with five. Right on his heels is Clay Smith who posted 29 points during the regular season as he matched Demich's goal total while dishing out a trio of helpers. Christiano Pillari leads the team in assists with eight. Danny Castillo owns a 6-5-1 record in goal with a 0.97 goals-against average and .806 save percentage.
LAST MEETING: The Blazers took a 3-0 win from the Knights in the regular season meeting on Easton Field. Clay Smith scored twice and Drew Demich once, while
Chris Watson made 13 saves for Arcadia.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: This marks the sixth MAC Commonwealth Championship Tournament appearance for Arcadia, and third in a row. The Knights are looking for their first conference playoff win since 2009 when they defeated Elizabethtown 1-0 in the semifinals.
