ITHACA, N.Y. - The #23 Ithaca men's soccer team (11-4-3) lost 3-0 to Stevens Institute of Technology (15-2-2) in the final round of the Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship Tournament. Stevens won its second straight Empire 8 Championship and received an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III tournament.

The Bombers held the Stevens offense in check in the first half. Stevens took three shots on goal, all saved by senior goalkeeper Andy Wilhelm (Centennial/Ellicott City, Md.). Wilhelm made four saves in the game. Ithaca senior midfielder Jason Kaufman (Amherst/Leverett, Mass.) took two shots on goal in the first half.

Stevens forward Al Lockhart (St. Pius X/Decatur, Ga.) opened the scoring in the 49th minute. His shot took a slight deflection off an Ithaca defender, then slipped through Wilhelm's hands into the net. Stevens forward Jeremy Lippel (West Orange/Orange, N.J.) added a second goal when his shot sailed past a diving Wilhelm, hit the post, and deflected off Wilhelm's back into the goal. Midfielder Todd Sheridan (St. Augustine Prep/Galloway, N.J.) added the third goal in the 77th minute. Midfielder John Radvany (Pennsbury/Yardley, Pa.) assisted.

Lockhart was honored as the tournament's most valuable player.

The Bombers can still receive a spot in the NCAA Division III tournament when the brackets are announced Monday. The official tournament announcement will be made at 9 a.m. at www.ncaa.com.

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