MEDIA, Pa. -- The Penn State Brandywine men's soccer team begins its 2018 season on Saturday afternoon when the Lions play host to Manor College at 1:00 pm. Here is a look ahead at the 2018 season:
THE TEAM
Brandywine returns 11 players who helped the Lions claim last season's PSUAC title as the team rolled through the conference with an undefeated record for the second-straight year. Once again, Brandywine appears loaded with talent, having four of its six all-conference selections back in the fold, including senior defender James Cellucci, a two-time USCAA All-American, and sophomore midfielder Rajbir Lohat, who landed all-American honors as a rookie. Brandywine's top returning scorer is senior Brandon Crochunis, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2017, producing career highs with 13 goals and 34 total points. Sophomore Mohamed Camara also aided the offense, tallying 12 goals, while earning an all-conference nod. Brandon Welden looks to take over the goalkeeping duties after splitting time in net as a freshman.
THE COACH
Jesse Zafiratos returns for his third season in 2018 after winning conference championships during his first two seasons in charge of the Lions. He owns a 31-8-1 record, including a perfect 22-0 mark against PSUAC teams. Zafiratos recruited an 11-man freshman class, many of whom are expected to make immediate contributions on the field.
THE SCHEDULE
In addition to a 10-game PSUAC schedule, Brandywine will play one of the league's toughest non-conference slates. The Lions play six matches against NCAA Division III opponents, highlighted by games versus former PSUAC foes Penn State Altoona and Penn State Abington. The matchup with Altoona will be the teams' first since 2004, while Abington will provide a stiff test for the Lions after reaching the NCAA Tournament last season.
THE CONFERENCE
The Lions will play 10 conference matches for the first time after Penn State Lehigh Valley added a varsity soccer program for 2018. Brandywine has dominated its conference competition over the last five seasons, producing a 53-2-1 record during the last five seasons, while winning four of the last five championships. The Lions have not suffered a PSUAC loss since Sept. 19, 2015, going 30-0-1 since that date. Last season, Brandywine won each of its 11 matchups by at least two goals.
LOOKING AHEAD
Brandywine plays seven of its first nine games away from home, including back-to-back games in western Pennsylvania against Penn State Beaver and Penn State Greater Allegheny, two of the top teams in the PSUAC, to end a six-game road trip. Brandywine plays its next six games at home before ending the regular season with three games on the road.
For the first time this season, the USCAA has split its soccer championships into two divisions, one for scholarship-granting programs and one for programs without athletic aid, helping to even the playing field for all teams. This year's PSUAC championship game will once again be at University Park on Oct. 30, while the USCAA Tournament runs from Nov. 8-11.

February 5, 2019
Greenawalt Tabbed As Brandywine Men’s Soccer Coach

December 20, 2018
Brandywine Places 34 Student-Athletes On PSUAC Fall Academic Team

December 6, 2018
Brandywine Ranked Fifth In USCAA Directors’ Cup Standings

November 15, 2018
Men’s Soccer Champions Feature Four USCAA All-Americans

November 12, 2018
USCAA MEN'S SOCCER NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

November 11, 2018
Brandywine Advances To USCAA Men’s Soccer National Championship Game

November 10, 2018
Crochunis Nets Game Winner; Brandywine Tops Berkeley 1-0

November 7, 2018
Cross Country, Soccer Teams Headed To USCAA National Championships


October 31, 2018
Brandywine Bests Beaver 6-1; Captures Third-Straight PSUAC Crown

October 26, 2018
Men’s Soccer Faces GA With Berth In PSUAC Title Game On The Line

October 23, 2018
Welden Earns PSUAC Goalkeeper Of The Week Honor

October 23, 2018
Brandywine Rallies To Edge Berkeley 2-1

October 19, 2018
Brandywine Blanks Saint Vincent 2-0; Continues Long Shutout Streak

October 9, 2018
Willie Named USCAA Men’s Soccer Player Of The Week

October 7, 2018
Brandywine Secures PSUAC Regular-Season Title

October 3, 2018
Willie Scores Four In Brandywine’s Senior Day Victory

October 2, 2018
Evan Roland Lands USCAA Player Of The Week Honor

September 30, 2018
Brandywine Runs Winning Streak To Five Games

September 29, 2018
Brandywine Routs Wilkes-Barre; Six Lions Have Multi-Goal Games

September 25, 2018
Willie Earns PSUAC Men’s Soccer Player Of The Week

September 23, 2018
Brandywine Posts Third-Straight PSUAC Shutout

September 22, 2018
Crochunis, Welden Key Brandywine Victory Over Beaver

September 19, 2018
Brandywine Rolls 9-0 In PSUAC Opener

September 17, 2018
Lions' Comeback Falls Short In 3-2 Setback

September 15, 2018
Brandywine Earns 2-2 Road Tie At Altoona

September 12, 2018
Brandywine Suffers First Loss At Abington

September 11, 2018
Crochunis, Welden Sweep PSUAC Weekly Men’s Soccer Honors

September 8, 2018
Second Half Flurry Lifts Brandywine Over Immaculata

September 5, 2018
Welden Lands USCAA Goalkeeper Of The Week Award

September 4, 2018
Joey Cairy Named PSUAC Men’s Soccer Player Of The Week

September 4, 2018
Brandywine Picks Up 5-1 Victory At Gwynedd Mercy

September 1, 2018
Brandywine Plays Manor To Draw In Opener

August 30, 2018
Men’s Soccer Hosts Manor Saturday In Season Opener

July 9, 2018
Men’s Soccer Welcomes 11-Member Recruiting Class

June 27, 2018
Men’s Soccer Reveals 2018 Schedule