Michael DiCesare's goal with just 2:25 left lifted UMBC to a 1-0 win over Stony Brook Wednesday, ensuring the program its first America East men's soccer regular-season title since 2003 and the top seed for the upcoming America East Championship. The rest of the tournament bracket was also decided on the final day of the regular season as Albany and Binghamton secured the final two bids and New Hampshire knocked off Vermont to earn the No. 2 seed and a quarterfinal-round bye.
The championship begins on Saturday, Nov. 9 with quarterfinal action. Fourth-seeded Vermont hosts fifth-seeded Albany at 1 p.m. while third-seeded Hartford entertains sixth-seeded Binghamton at 7 p.m. The teams that advance will play in the semifinal round on Wednesday, Nov. 13 with the Vermont-Albany winner playing at top-seeded UMBC and the Hartford-Binghamton winner playing at second-seeded New Hampshire. Both semifinal games will be at 7 p.m. The semifinal winners will meet for the America East title and a trip to the NCAA tournament on either Nov. 16 or 17 in a game that will be streamed live for free at AmericaEast.TV.
UMBC (14-1-2, 5-0-2, 17 pts AE) scored the game's lone goal in the waning seconds to earn the tournament's No. 1 seed. The Retrievers, who are ranked sixth nationally, are just the third America East team to go unbeaten in conference play since 1997.
New Hampshire (12-5-0, 5-2-0 AE, 15 pts.) earned the No. 2 seed behind Ugochukwu Uche's two scores as the Wildcats beat Vermont 2-0. The No. 2 seed is UNH's best since 2009. Despite the loss, Vermont (9-4-4, 3-3-1, 10 pts AE) reached the tournament for the ninth time in 10 years and will be seeded fourth, earning a home game for the third-straight year.
Hartford (12-3-3, 4-2-1, 13 pts) wrapped up its best regular season in over a decade as Jeff Tryon scored three times in the Hawks' 5-2 win over UMass Lowell. Hartford, whose 12 wins are its most since 2001, is the No. 3 seed after missing last year's tournament.
Albany (5-10-4, 3-3-1 AE, 10 pts) clinched a tournament berth with its 2-1 win over Binghamton behind two first-half goals. The Great Danes will be the No. 5 seed for the tournament. Binghamton (3-10-5, 1-3-3, 6 pts AE) also earned a tournament bid and will be seeded sixth.
Visit America East's Championship Central throughout the tournament for previews, links to in-game coverage, including free live video, and postgame reaction.
2013 America East Men's Soccer Championship
Quarterfinals - Saturday, November 9
No. 5 Albany at No. 4 Vermont, 1 p.m.
No. 6 Binghamton at No. 3 Hartford, 7 p.m.
Semifinals - Wednesday, November 13
Albany/Vermont Winner at No. 1 UMBC, 7 p.m.
Hartford/Binghamton Winner at No. 2 New Hampshire, 7 p.m.
Final - Saturday, November 16/Sunday, November 17
Semifinal Winners at Highest Remaining Seed, TBA