UTICA, N.Y. – The SUNY Institute of Technology Wildcats won their second straight North Eastern Athletic Conference men’s soccer championship after defeating the Penn State Harrisburg Nittany Lions 2-0 yesterday.

Sophomore Joe Pfaffenberger (Chester, N.Y.) and senior Trevor Totman (Dryden, N.Y.) were named the co-most valuable players of the tournament for their efforts in the Wildcats’ path to the title.  Pfaffenberger finished the tournament with three goals in two games and Totman finished with two goals that both came on penalty kicks.

It was a hard-fought, defensive battle between the Wildcats and Lions, who entered the tournament as the No. 1 and No. 3 seeds, respectively.  After 70 minutes of scoreless action, SUNYIT put the first score on the board on a goal off a penalty kick from Totman that came at 70:02.  Pfaffenberger then sealed the deal with a breakaway goal with three minutes left in the contest.  NEAC Player and Goalkeeper of the Year Malick Faye (Bronx, N.Y.) made three saves on the day, while Harrisburg goalie Josh Wolff (Christiana, Pa.) made five stops in the contest.

The Wildcats will now head to their second straight NCAA Division III Tournament after earning an automatic qualifying bid.  Their opponent and the site of the match will be determined during the NCAA selection show today at 1 p.m., which can be found here.

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The North Eastern Athletic Conference has thirteen NCAA Division III member institutions which include: Cazenovia College, College of St. Elizabeth, Gallaudet University, Keuka College, Lancaster Bible College, Pennsylvania State University - Abington, Pennsylvania State University - Berks, Pennsylvania State University -Harrisburg, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Institute of Technology, SUNY Morrisville State College, Wells College, and Wilson College.  Associate members are: Hilbert College (M Lacrosse), Medaille College (M&W Lacrosse) and Rutgers University - Camden (M Golf).  The North Eastern Athletic Conference has partnered with the North Atlantic Conference in the sports of baseball, women’s lacrosse, and men’s and women’s tennis.