Men’s Soccer Begins PSUAC Title Defense Tuesday

MEDIA, Pennsylvania -- The two-time defending PSUAC champion Penn State Brandywine men's soccer team opens its 2015 season Tuesday night with a nonconference, road match at Cabrini.

Brandywine, which has won 14-straight games against league foes dating back to 2013, returns nine players from last year's team that knocked off York 1-0 in the PSUAC title game for the second conference title in program history. The Lions also welcome a group of 15 newcomers to the squad.

2015 PSUAC Player of the Year Bill Walleekendeh leads the Lions' offensive attack after posting 23-goal campaigns during each of his first two seasons. Walleekendeh, who has accumulated 106 points during his career, scored goals during seven of the eight matches he played against PSUAC competition last year. Sophomore forward Pat Lutes looks to build on a solid rookie season after finishing second on the team with 11 goals.

Senior captain Manny Amine is the team's leader in the midfield, having started 51 games over the last three seasons. He netted 10 goals and added five assists last season. Nick Abhulimen and Robera Balcha also return to the midfield, while Abdi Balcha and Jeison Fajardo are Brandywine's most-experienced defenders.

In goal, sophomore Pat O'Neill took over as the team's top goalkeeper during the PSUAC Tournament and looks to hold down the top spot entering 2015. O'Neill won three games and made 41 saves during nine appearances in net.

After winning 24 games during the last two years, 2014 PSUAC Coach of the Year Scott Spangler looks to continue his squad's upward trend when the season begins Tuesday night. The Lions open PSUAC play in three weeks when they host Penn State Beaver on Sept. 19.