ITHACA, N.Y. (November 9, 2008) – The Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team left little doubt as to who the best team in the Empire 8 was this season. The Ducks defeated top-seeded Ithaca College 3-0 in the 2008 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship final on Sunday afternoon at Wood Field in Ithaca, N.Y. to earn their second-straight Empire 8 title and sixth-straight conference championship. Junior Al Lockhart scored the game-winner early in the second half as senior Jeremy Lippel and junior Todd Sheridan scored the two other Duck goals. Stevens will now head to its sixth-consecutive NCAA Tournament.
Ithaca (11-4-3) snapped Stevens' 54-match conference unbeaten streak back on October 25, with a 2-1 overtime win in heavy wind and rain. In this one, Stevens came out energized and ready to go, and it was clear the Ducks would not be denied the conference title and a trip back to the NCAA's.
Neither team was able to get on the board in the first half. Stevens ended the stanza a 7-2 advantage in shots, a 2-1 edge in corners, and a lot of momentum. Stevens controlled the ball and the field most of the way, and it was only a matter of time before the Ducks would break through.
That breakthrough moment came when Lockhart ripped a shot from 25 yards out 3:48 into the second half that deflected off an Ithaca defender and found its way in the net. Lockhart, who assisted the first Stevens score in the semifinal win over Utica College on Friday, just took the shot and made something happen.
Less than seven minutes later, Lippel put in the dagger. On a counter attack, the senior captain laced a shot off the post that bounced off first-team all-conference goalkeeper Andy Wilhelm's (Ellicott City, Md.) back and into the goal. It was Lippel's eighth tally of the season and really took the wind out of the Bombers' sails.
Sheridan's insurance goal came at the 76:35 mark. Junior midfielder John Radvany crossed from the left sideline and Sheridan put in an open header to give the Ducks 3-0 lead. It was Sheridan's 10th goal of 2008 as the junior captain had an enormous second half of the season. Radvany was credited with his first assist.
Sophomore Zach Carr was in goal for his third-straight shutout and tenth of the season. Carr now has 20 for his career as he was credited with three saves on the afternoon. Since losing to this Bomber team, Stevens has won three in a row, outscoring its opponents 6-0 during that span.
Lockhart, who scored the game-winner in the final and assisted the game-winner in the semifinal, was named the MVP of the 2008 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship. He now has two goals and five assists in '08 as he saved two of his best games for the conference tournament.
Corners were even at four apiece, but Stevens ended the day with a 13-6 advantage in shots. Wilhelm was credited with four saves for Ithaca.
Stevens (16-2-2) will now await its NCAA Tournament fate. Check back here Monday afternoon as the matchups should be announced at that time.
