ERIE, PA – A trip down Interstate-90 and (90) minutes was all that separated the Medaille College Men's Soccer team from their first AMCC Regular Season Championship since 2013. The battle of the AMCC unbeatens lived up to the billing as the Mavericks controlled the pace of play throughout; however, a late penalty kick goal by the Lions gave Penn State-Behrend the (1-0) win and the regular season crown.

The Mavericks controlled much of the play in the first half, keeping the defenders for the Lions on their heels. The Mavs finished the first (45) minutes with a (4-2) edge in total shots, and (3-0) edge in shots on goal.

Two of the Mavericks three shots on goal came from the foot of Nick DuMond (Lockport, NY, Starpoint), with the other coming from James Lang (Cupar, Scotland, St. Leonards). Lang was also busy on the corners as Medaille was awarded five corner kicks in the first half compared to just one for Penn State-Behrend.

The Lions did mount a fury late in the half, with two shots from in close; however, both sailed wide as the two teams entered the locker rooms knotted at zero with one more half left to determine the AMCC regular season championship.

Just like the opening (45) minutes, the second half was tight throughout. Both teams had their chances to take the lead; however, neither could capitalize early on.

The Mavericks best chance of the night may have come in the (79') minute when after three consecutive Penn State-Behrend fouls left Medaille with a free kick just yards outside the box, senior Michael Lennox (Salcoates, Scotland, St. Matthews) had a beauty of a shot blocked.

Unfortunately for the Mavs, the Lions received their best chance of the night just minutes later when a called Medaille foul in the box resulted in a penalty kick being given to Penn State-Behrend. The Lions Sean Gallagher buried the kick right side as senior keeper Brian Arcara (Orchard Park, NY, Orchard Park) went left to put Behrend up 1-0 with just over eight minutes remaining.

The Mavericks turned up the pressure in the final minutes, hoping to get an equalizer but a Lang shot off of a free kick sailed high above the crossbar in the (89') to seal Medaille's fate.

The loss was the Mavericks first in AMCC play all season long, and snapped their (11) game unbeaten streak despite outshooting Penn State-Behrend (11-6) overall and being awarded seven corner kicks compared to just three for the Lions.

While the loss drops Medaille to (11-4-2) overall and (7-1-1) in conference play, the Mavericks clinched a first round bye in the AMCC Tournament that starts this weekend by securing the second seed. The Mavs will host the winner of the first round game between the third and sixth seed on Wednesday, November 2 at a time that has yet to be determined.

Keep checking medaillesports.com for the latest updates.