HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 7, 2008) – The Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team will be playing for its sixth-straight conference championship. The Ducks rolled over Utica in a 2008 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship semifinal at the De Baun Athletic Complex by a score of 2-0 and will take on No. 1 seed Ithaca College on Sunday afternoon. The Bombers defeated fourth-seeded St John Fisher College in the other semifinal. Sophomore Nolan Sandberg scored the game-winner for Stevens, and junior Al Lockhart was credited with the assist. The Ducks can earn their sixth-straight NCAA Tournament berth with a win over Ithaca on Sunday.

Stevens controlled most of the action from start to finish as they outshot Utica 9-1 in the first half and 22-7 for the game. The Ducks also held a big, 9-1 advantage in corners.

Though the Ducks had possession for much of the first half, they had some trouble generating any really strong scoring chances as the Pioneers defense was unfazed by Stevens' prolific offensive attack. However, with 15 minutes to go in the first, second-team all-conference selection Dylan Delemarter (Ilion, N.Y.) picked up a yellow card, and it seemed to take away from the effectiveness of the Utica defense.

Stevens really turned up the pressure in the last five minutes of the first as several good chances just missed. Even with the frustrating close calls, it was clear that the Ducks had grasped all the momentum heading into the break.

Then, 12 minutes into the second half, Sandberg struck. Lockhart, who played a fantastic game, ripped a bullet from the top-left corner of the box. Utica goalkeeper Ben Banker (Morrisville, N.Y.) was able to stop the shot but could not control, and Sandberg was there to put in the rebound. It was his fifth goal of season as Lockhart was credited with his fourth assist.

Ahead, the Ducks continued to pressure and control the ball. A little more than 20 minutes after the first goal, junior captain Todd Sheridan was able to put in his ninth of the season after a nice feed from Empire 8 Player of the Year, Terrence Johnson. Johnson controlled the ball at the top of the box, slid the ball from right to left to Sheridan who put an absolutely perfect shot off the inside of the left post for the goal.

Up 2-0, the Ducks cruised, never really feeling pressure from Utica (8-9-1) as the Stevens midfield and defense played relentlessly all day.

Banker took the loss in net for the Pioneers. The rookie was credited with nine saves as he was under constant pressure from the Stevens offense. Zach Carr got his 15th win and ninth shutout of 2008 for the Ducks. The sophomore made three saves.

Stevens will now move on to play No. 1 seed Ithaca on Sunday in Ithaca, N.Y. The game is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. start. The two teams met three weeks ago, and the Bombers came up with a 2-1 overtime win in extreme wind and rain at Wood Field. The win snapped Stevens' 54-match conference unbeaten streak, and the Ducks will clearly be looking avenge that tough loss.