Brandywine Falls In United East Quarterfinals

ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – No. 8 Penn State Brandywine saw its season come to a close after dropping a 3-1 decision to No. 1 St. Mary's in the United East Conference Men's Soccer Tournament quarterfinal round late Saturday night.

The Lions battled the defending United East champion for 90 minutes and trailed by just one late in the match before the Seahawks added an insurance marker during the 77^th minute.

St. Mary's took a 1-0 lead into halftime and doubled the margin to 2-0 thanks to Jack Nelson's second goal of the match at the 52:55 mark. Brandywine had an answer two minutes later as Christian Zavala (Kennett Square, Pa./Kennett) was awarded a penalty kick and scored from the PK spot for the fifth time in as many tries this season.

The goal was the 18^th and final tally during Zavala's 87-match Brandywine career. He scored the game-winning overtime goal Wednesday against Notre Dame of Maryland to send the Lions to their first United East Tournament victory.

Elijah DeBooth (West Lawn, Pa./Wilson) made six saves in goal to move into second place on Brandywine's all-time saves list with 221. He completed his four-year career as the Lions' all-time leader in shutouts and wins.

Ray Kelly (Middletown, Del./Middletown) and Kyle Reuter (York, Pa./Dallastown Area) also played the final matches of their standout careers. Kelly donned a Brandywine uniform for the 90^th time, becoming the first player in program history to play in 90 matches. Reuter is the Lions' all-time leader in assists with 33 during his 68-game career.

Brandywine finished its first season as a member of NCAA Division III with a record of 8-8-3 under first-year head coach Bill Walleekendeh.