With one week to go on the America East men's soccer regular-season schedule, five teams have secured bids to 2009 America East Championship, which begins with quarterfinal action on Nov. 7.
New Hampshire (8-5-2 overall, 5-0-1, 16 pts. America East) wrapped up at least a share of the regular-season title with its 1-1 tie against Stony Brook Saturday. The Wildcats, unbeaten in their last six games, are guaranteed the No. 1 seed in the tournament due to its 4-1 over Hartford on Oct. 14. It is UNH's first regular-season crown since 1994 and just its second since America East started sponsoring the sport in 1988.
The Hawks (6-6-2, 3-1-1, 10) and Seawolves (4-9-3, 3-2-1, 10) are tied for second and meet on Oct. 31. Hartford can earn the No. 2 seed with a pair of wins and will win a share of the regular-season crown with two wins and a UNH loss at Binghamton Wednesday. SBU can still finish anywhere from 2nd to 5th.
UMBC (12-3-0, 3-2-0, 9) and Binghamton (8-6-1, 3-2-0, 9) are currently tied for fourth after respective wins over Albany and Vermont on Saturday and will face each other on Halloween. The Retrievers, who face Hartford in their other remaining contest, and the Bearcats, who travel to UNH on Wednesday, can both finish anywhere from 2nd to 5th.
Vermont (1-9-5, 1-3-2, 5) and Boston University (7-6-2, 1-4-0, 3), the last two league champions, are fighting for the final bid to the tournament. The two teams will meet in Burlington on Wednesday to decide who be the No. 6 seed and who will be home for the playoffs. If the two teams tie, Boston U. must beat Albany (0-12-3, 0-5-1, 1), the lone team eliminated from postseason consideration, on Oct. 31 to make the tournament.
Stay tuned to AmericaEast.com for continuous men's soccer postseason updates.