MARCY, N.Y. – The SUNY Institute of Technology men’s soccer team won its third North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Championship in four years after defeating the defending champion Morrisville State Mustangs (10-5-4, 5-2-1 NEAC) 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout on Sunday.

SUNYIT senior goalkeeper and NEAC Player of the Year Malick Faye (Bronx, N.Y.) made two stops in the shootout to give the Wildcats the victory, and was named the Tournament MVP for the second time in his career after totaling four saves and recording one shutout through two playoff games.  The honor capped off a remarkable career for Faye, who was named the NEAC Goalkeeper of the Year in four straight seasons while also receiving NEAC Player of Year honors twice. 

With the win, the Wildcats (16-1-2, 7-1 NEAC) received an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.  They will find out their opponent and the site of the match on Monday, November 11 at 1 p.m. during the NCAA selection show, which can be viewed here. 

In a hard-fought game, neither team was able to find the back of the net through 90 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute overtimes, thanks in part to the play of both Faye and Morrisville State sophomore Rob Larkin (Clinton, N.Y.), who made four saves.  In the ensuing shootout, Diego Montaleza (New York, N.Y.), Josh Kimber (Chittenango, N.Y.), Matthew Wilday (Broadalbin, N.Y.) and Kurreem Williams (Mt. Vernon, N.Y.) all netted their attempts, while Faye stopped the second and fourth Mustang shots to give SUNYIT the victory. 

Faye ended the game with a full-extension dive to his left on an attempt by Morrisville State sophomore Brian Culkin (West Islip, N.Y.). The senior screamed in jubilation as he rose to his feet, and was mobbed seconds later by his team.  The entire scene can be viewed on the NEAC Facebook page here.

*Release, photo and video courtesy of SUNYIT sports information director Dan Benz

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The North Eastern Athletic Conference has twelve 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, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Institute of Technology, SUNY Morrisville State College, Wells College, and Wilson College.  Bryn Athyn College and Pennsylvania College of the Technology will both join the conference as full members in 2014-15.  Associate members are: Cedar Crest College (W Swimming), D’Youville College (M Volleyball), Hilbert College (M Lacrosse & M Volleyball), Medaille College (M&W Lacrosse & M Volleyball), Penn State Altoona (M Volleyball) and Rutgers University - Camden (M Golf & M Tennis).  The North Eastern Athletic Conference has partnered with the North Atlantic Conference in the sports of men’s and women’s tennis.