The Men’s Soccer team concluded their season this past weekend with a trip to Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the first and second round of the NCAA Divison III soccer tournament. On Saturday, Nov. 14 the Red Devils defeated Rowan University 2-1 in an overtime thriller to advance to the second round the next day. On Sunday, Dickinson fell 2-1 to hosts Lycoming College in a heartbreaking game, ending the Red Devils’ season with a record of 13-5-3.

On Saturday, Dickinson was slated in the first round against the Profs of Rowan University. The first half of this contest went scoreless, with both teams scaring the net. At 56:68, the Red Devils broke the stalemate with a goal from Jonathan Harper ’16. Sophomore Matthew Edmonds ’18 controlled a cross on the back post that he fired back across frame, finding Harper for the easy tap in and the 1- 0 lead with just over 30 minutes left to play.

The Red Devils controlled the vast majority of the second half, seemingly having the game in their grasp despite the slim lead. Rowan, however, was able to manufacture a goal out of nothing with less than three minutes left to play, taking advantage of a corner kick to find then net and tie the game just before the end of regulation.

The contest would require overtime to find a victor, but it wouldn’t take long for the Red Devils to close out the game. Chris Pollock ’18 fired a shot from the top of the box that looked to be heading wide of the frame, but found Will Bracken ’18 before going out of bounds. Bracken was able to trap the ball and quickly slip it past the keeper from close range to claim the dramatic victory for Dickinson, who would advance to play Lycoming for a chance at the program’s first ever Sweet 16 birth.

The second round match Sunday was just as highly contested as the Red Devils’ game the day before. Both teams were able to find the net in the first half of this contest, however, with the home team finding the net first at the 12:16 mark of the game. ided with

Sainclair Tueno was able to poke home a loose ball off a corner for the Warriors to take a 1-0 lead.

Dickinson would not be deterred by the goal, showing the urge to get back on the attack to find the tying goal. Ward Van de Water ’19 made a great run down the right flank, making multiple Lycoming defenders miss before hitting a thumping volley into the top corner. The first-year’s incredible individual effort brought the Red Devils back even a mere two minutes after falling behind.

In the second half, Dickinson seemed to come out of the break a little flat. The Warriors would go on the offensive and capitalize only 12 minutes into the second period. After being awarded a controversial corner kick, the Warriors once again would take full advantage of the set piece for the 2-1 lead with 30 minutes still to play.

The rest of the game would provide back-and-forth action as the Red Devils sent more and more men forward in search of the tying goal. Danny Sheppard ’17 had a good opportunity in the final minutes, but his shot from the top of the box was saved by the Lycoming goalie. The Warriors defense held strong down the stretch to secure the 2-1 victory for the hosts.

Dickinson once again posted double digit wins on the season, and made the Centennial Conference Finals for the second time in three years. The team’s trip to the NCAA’s was the program’s fifth straight appearance in the tournament. The Red Devils will look to break the barrier next year to advance past the first weekend of the national tournament, as well as challenge for a second Centennial Conference title.