Sept. 14, 2009

Center Valley, Pa.--With two wins at the Lafayette Soccer Classic, Lafayette became the only Patriot League team without a loss. American, which entered the week ranked 23rd nationally, suffered its first two defeats, dropping the Eagles from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Patriot League Men's Soccer Release 9.14.09

BRINE Offensive Player of the Week

Alex Weekes, Colgate Sr., F, Stroudsburg, Pa. Weekes notched a seven-point weekend, helping the Raiders record victories over Syracuse and Albany. Weekes recorded two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, in Colgate's 3-2 triumph over Syracuse. He then notched a goal and an assist in the Raiders' 3-1 win at Albany.

BRINE Defensive Player of the Week

Nick Leigh, Lafayette Sr., B, Urbana, Ill. Leigh helped the Leopards record a pair of shutout victories at the Lafayette Soccer Classic. Leigh anchored a defensive effort that limited its two foes to 11 shots and five shots on goal. Leigh led a defensive unit that held Fordham to four total shots. Leigh and the Leopards allowed just two shots on goal against Binghamton.

BRINE Goalkeeper of the Week Tommy Caso, Bucknell So., GK, Phoenix, Md. Caso was named the Garth Stam Defensive Most Valuable Player at the Mayor's Cup in Oneonta, N.Y. after recorded back-to-back shutout wins. Caso stopped eight shots in the Bison's 1-0 victory over Syracuse on Sunday. That followed a shutout win against host Hartwick on Friday. Caso lowered his season goals-against-average to 0.80.

BRINE Rookie of the Week

Mike Reidy, Colgate Fr., M, Webster, N.Y. Reidy recorded his first career points with a two-goal effort in the Raiders' 3-1 win at Albany. Reidy's second goal proved to be the game-winner. Earlier in the weekend, he made his first career start in Colgate's 3-2 win against Syracuse.

Patriot League Notebook

The Week In Review In the week after reaching the national top 25, American was handed a pair of 3-0 defeats. The Eagles fell to Princeton and Monmouth. Lafayette now has the top record among Patriot League teams after winning the Lafayette Soccer Classic. The Leopards claimed shutout victories over Fordham and Binghamton. Bucknell won the Mayor's Cup in Oneonta, N.Y., picking up back-to-back 1-0 wins. The Bison defeated Syracuse and host Hartwick. Colgate also scored a pair of wins, defeating Syracuse and Albany. Also winning twice was Navy, which topped Mount Saint Mary's and Saint Francis (Pa.) at the UMBC/adidas Kickoff Classic. Not so fortunate were Lehigh, Army and Holy Cross, all of which went winless last week.

On Deck Lafayette will head to Illinois for the Northwestern Classic in Evanston. The Leopards will meet Northern Illinois and host Northwestern. Bucknell will play just once, hosting the College of Charleston. Also hosting the Cougars will be Lehigh. Prior to welcoming the College of Charleston to Bethlehem, the Mountain Hawks will travel to Newark, Del. for a date with the Fightin' Blue Hens of Delaware. Colgate will host Siena on Tuesday before playing at New Hampshire on Saturday. Navy will spend the weekend in Philadelphia, taking on Temple and Penn. American will attempt to get back on the winning track on Saturday when it hosts William & Mary. Army will be at home on Wednesday, taking on Quinnipiac. The Black Knights will then travel to Colorado Springs to battle Air Force on Saturday. Holy Cross will aim for its first win of the season when it makes the short trip to Boston to take on Northeastern on Tuesday. The Crusaders will then host Sacred Heart on Saturday.

Team Notebooks

American After cracking the NSCAA/adidas Top 25, the Eagles were dealt back-to-back losses. American dropped a 3-0 decision at home against Princeton before falling by the same score at Monmouth. American will host William & Mary on Saturday.

Army The Black Knights dropped three games last week, falling to Marist, Army and Harvard. Army was outscored by a combined margin of 8-0 in its three contests. The Black Knights will attempt to get back on the winning track with a pair of games this week. Army will be at home on Wednesday, taking on Quinnipiac. The Black Knights will then travel to Colorado Springs to battle Air Force on Saturday.

Bucknell The Bison captured the Mary's Cup in Oneonta, N.Y. by defeating Syracuse and host Hartwick. Senior midfielder Conor O'Brien was named the Jim Lennox Offensive MVP after scoring both of Bucknell's goals in a pair of 1-0 victories. Ross Liberati, Tommy Caso and Patrick Selwood were also named to the All-Tournament Team. The Bison will resume play this week against the College of Charleston.

Colgate The Raiders scored a pair of victories last week, topping Syracuse, 3-2, and Albany, 3-1. Sophomore goalkeeper Chris Miller picked up both wins in goal, stopping eight shots during the weekend. Colgate will attempt to continue its winning ways with contests against Siena and New Hampshire.

Holy Cross The Crusaders remain in search of their first victory after two road losses last week. Holy Cross dropped a 1-0 decision at Bryant before falling to Central Connecticut State, 2-1. The Crusaders will attempt to pick up their first win of the season with games against Northeastern and Sacred Heart.

Lafayette Lafayette is the only Patriot League team without a loss. The Leopards won the Lafayette Soccer Classic with wins over Fordham and Binghamton. The Leopards are off to their best start since opening the 2003 season 4-0-1. Lafayette will head to Illinois for the Northwestern Classic.

Lehigh In its only game of the week, Lehigh was knocked off by Towson, 2-0. Since a season-opening win against Stanford, the Mountain Hawks have gone 0-2-1. Lehigh will seek to regain its winning form with games against Delaware and the College of Charleston.

Navy The Mids won the UMBC/adidas Kickoff Classic for the second straight season, defeating Mount Saint Mary's and Saint Francis (Pa.). Navy's front six starting lineup over the weekend featured four freshmen, a sophomore and a senior. The Mids' 3-1-0 start equals the program's best since 2001. Navy will try to maintain its momentum with games against Temple and Penn in Philadelphia.