![Men's Soccer Earns Top Seed in GNAC Tournament](/information/2012-13/GNAC_with_soccer_for_Web_Stories.jpg?max_width=700)
Boston, Mass. (10/24/12) – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference has announced the 2012 Men's Soccer Championship Bracket featuring eight teams with tournament play scheduled to begin on Saturday, Oct. 27.
After compiling a 9-1 conference mark, Lasell College will don
the No. 1 seed led by junior forward Mike Skelton
(North Conway, N.H.). Skelton ranks first in the GNAC and tied for
17th in the nation in goals with 14. The Lasers
defensive unit is led by freshman keeper Miguel
Colmenares (Caracas, Venezuela) who posted a 0.98 goals against
average on the year. Lasell will face the No. 8 seed, Mount Ida
College, who qualifies for the GNAC playoffs for the fifth time in
six years. The Mustangs have only advanced past the Quarterfinals
once when they downed Suffolk University, 1-0, in 2OT back in
2008.
Albertus Magnus, who was picked as the pre-season favorite in the
coaches' poll, has earned the No. 2 seed and will host the No. 7
seed in Suffolk University. The Falcons are led by senior forward
Stephen Zapata (Hamden, Conn.) who currently leads the GNAC in
points with 36. Zapata also leads the GNAC and ranks tied for third
in the nations with 12 assists. Despite only posting a 4-5-1 mark
in conference play, the Rams netted 30 goals in league play to tie
for the league high in GNAC action.
Saint Joseph's (ME) captured the No. 3 seed thanks to a
head-to-head 2-1 double-overtime victory over Norwich University as
both squads finished with a 6-3-1 GNAC slate. The defending GNAC
Champions enter the tourney playing some of their best soccer of
the season, riding a six-match winning streak in which they've
outscored their opponents 11-2. The Monks will face the No. 6 seed,
Emerson College, who finished the year 6-4 in conference. The Lions
are also riding a six-game winning streak and will look to return
to the GNAC Semifinals after getting upset last year in the 3/6
matchup vs. Emmanuel College.
The 4/5 matchup will feature Norwich University playing host to
Johnson & Wales University. When the two squads met in the
regular season, Norwich was able to come away with a 2-1 win when
they erased a 1-0 halftime deficit with two second-half goals
including the game-winner with just over four minutes remaining in
regulation.
Winners of the GNAC Quaterfinals will meet in the Semifinals on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the site of the higher seeds with the GNAC Finals set for Saturday, Nov. 3 at the site of the highest remaining seed in the tourney.