September 29, 2008

Center Valley, Pa.- The first weekend of Patriot League play is in the books, highlighted by gritty performances by a number of teams. Holy Cross traveled to Colgate, where the Crusaders shutout the Raiders 1-0 behind the outstanding goalkeeping of Thomas Booth. In Bethlehem, archrivals Lafayette and Lehigh battled it out for a 2-2 tie in the 105th all-time meeting between the two schools. In an overtime thriller, Mark Schmiegel led Bucknell to a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over host Navy. Saturday's game between American and Army was rained out and has been rescheduled for Monday, Nov. 3. Student-athletes from Bucknell, Holy Cross and Lafayette all won Patriot League BRINE Player of the Week distinction.

Patriot League Men's Soccer Release 9.29.08

BRINE Offensive Player of the Week

Mark Schmiegel, Bucknell Sr., M, Toms River, N.J.

Schmiegel scored both goals in Bucknell's 2-1 overtime win over Navy in the Patriot League opener Saturday night. Bucknell fell behind early 1-0 before Schmiegel tied it in the 38th minute. He struck again 7:36 into sudden-death overtime for the win.

BRINE Defensive Player of the Week

Justin Kamine, Lafayette So., D, Oldwick, N.J.

Kamine started at back and played the entire game on defense. Kamine scored his second goal of the season and one of two Lafayette goals in the 2-2 tie with Lehigh. The goal was the second of his college career.

BRINE Goalkeeper of the Week

Thomas Booth, Holy Cross Jr., Patchogue, N.Y.

Booth picked up his fourth shutout of the season in Holy Cross' 1-0 win over Colgate. Booth had five saves in the shutout, and an .857 save percentage.

BRINE Rookie of the Week

Luke Joyner, Bucknell Fr., M, Dallas, Texas

Joyner assisted on Mark Schmiegel's game-tying goal in the 38th minute against Navy. Bucknell went on to win 2-1 in overtime.

Patriot League Notebook

Patriot League Weekend Recap

The first weekend of Patriot League play is in the books, highlighted by gritty performances by a number of teams. Holy Cross traveled to Colgate, where the Crusaders shutout the Raiders 1-0 behind the outstanding goalkeeping of Thomas Booth. In Bethlehem, archrivals Lafayette and Lehigh battled it out for a 2-2 tie in the 105th all-time meeting between the two schools. In an overtime thriller, Mark Schmiegel led Bucknell to a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over host Navy. Saturday's game between American and Army was rained out and has been rescheduled for Monday, Nov. 3.

Army, Navy Part of History-Making Tournament

When teams from Army, Navy and Air Force joined Birmingham Southern in the BSC Armed Forces Soccer Classic the weekend of September 19, it marked the first time the three service academy soccer teams have competed in the same place at the same time. Birmingham-Southern Head Coach Preston Goldfarb, a former Army armored intelligence office, said the tournament had been in the works since 2001.

"It is important to always find ways to recognize the men and women who serve in our military, and we [were] excited to bring the Army, Air Force and Navy soccer teams to Birmingham so that our community can express our support for these future leaders," Goldfarb said.

Navy lost to Air Force 1-0 and Army beat Birmingham-Southern 3-1 on the first day. Air Force defeated Army 2-1 and Navy blanked Birmingham-Southern 1-0 on the second day.

Three Patriot League Teams In NSCAA/adidas Regional Poll

Holy Cross, Colgate and Bucknell were all ranked in the September 30 NSCAA/adidas Middle Atlantic Regional Poll. Holy Cross, at 5-1-2, is ranked third in the region, followed by Colgate in the seventh spot and Bucknell in the ninth position.

2008 Patriot League Tournament

The 2008 Patriot League Tournament will take place Friday and Sunday, November 14 and 16 at the site of the highest seed. The top four teams as determined by the regular-season standings will participate in the Patriot League tourney.

Team Notebooks

American

American was shut out by No. 2 Maryland 4-0 this week. The Eagles' Patriot League opener against Army was postponed due to rain. That game is rescheduled for Monday, Nov. 3. American will take on Lafayette in Easton on Saturday night in Patriot League play.

Army

The Black Knights' game against American was rained out and rescheduled for Monday, Nov. 3. Yale visits Army next for a 7 p.m. game on Tuesday at West Point. Colgate visits West Point on Saturday.

Bucknell

The Bison have now scored in 25 straight games after defeating Navy 2-1 in an overtime thriller. The scoring streak is the second-longest in the nation, behind UC Santa Barbara's 27. The Bison will play at La Salle on Wednesday, before playing Holy Cross on Saturday.

Colgate

The Raiders defeated Vermont 2-1 last Monday, and were shut out 1-0 by visiting Holy Cross in the Patriot League opener. Colgate's game against Hartwick has been postponed due to rain and rescheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7. Colgate will play Army on Saturday.

Holy Cross

With a record of 5-1-2, goalkeeper Thomas Booth has only allowed five goals so far this season, and has picked up four shutouts. The Crusaders will travel to Quinnipiac for a Tuesday night game before hosting Bucknell in Patriot League play on Saturday.

Lafayette

Lafayette tied archrival Lehigh 2-2 this weekend in Bethlehem. Forward Justin Kamine scored his second goal of the season in the game. The Leopards host American on Saturday in Patriot League action.

Lehigh

Adam Gazda scored Lehigh's first goal against archrival Lafayette on a perfect cross by freshman Neal Melchionni in a 2-2 tie. Lehigh will travel to Annapolis on Saturday for a Patriot League match against the Mids.

Navy

The Mids lost a 2-1 overtime heartbreaker to Bucknell on Saturday in their Patriot League opener. The Mids will look to rebound against Lehigh when the Mountain Hawks visit Saturday in Patriot League play.