Mens Soccer 2013 CAAs

Senior defender Tal Bublil leads the Dragons into the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament this week.

Drexel’s men’s soccer team will vie for its first Colonial Athletic Association title this week as the top-seeded Dragons host the CAA Tournament at Vidas Field. Drexel will face its rival Delaware in the semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the tournament are free with a valid student ID.

Drexel sewed up its second straight first place finish in regular season CAA play when the Dragons beat College of Charleston 2-1 in the season finale. Delaware earned its place in the semifinals by virtue of an opening round victory over Northeastern. The Dragons edged the Blue Hens in the teams’ only meeting of the regular season, 2-1, on Oct. 19 in Delaware.

Head Coach Doug Hess’s squad has been led this season by a strong group of seniors, many of whom have been starters on the team since their freshmen seasons. Ken Tribbett, a three-time All-CAA honoree, notched four goals and a pair of assists while leading the team from his midfield position. Fellow senior Nathan Page, who has been among the team’s top goal scorers in each of his four years, found the net five times this season to lead the Dragons in scoring.

The Dragons’ sturdy defense has been key to their success this season. At center back, senior Tal Bublil has been a steadying presence in each of his four years with the team. His defensive efforts were supported this season by rookie goalkeeper Tyler Afflerbach, who notched five shutouts on the year and performed aptly in net since taking over the position early in the season.

Drexel posted an overall mark of 8-7-3 and won the CAA with 14 points by finishing its league slate with a 4-1-2 record. They have dropped just two conference games in the past two seasons. The Dragons scored two goals in each of their four victories, and fewer than that in the other three games. Drexel has won all season with timely goals and strong defense, not scoring more than two since a 3-3 draw at Seton Hall on September 1.

The first semifinal match of the day will see second-seeded UNC Wilmington take on William & Mary at 4 p.m. before the Dragons and Blue Hens take the pitch at the Vidas Athletic Complex at 43^rd and Powelton. The winners will meet in the championship on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.

For championship and ticket information visit:  http://www.caasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8500&ATCLID=209283425