MIDDLEBURY, VT - The York College men's soccer team ended their spectacular 2007 campaign falling to Middlebury 2-0 in Elite Eight action on Sunday afternoon. The Spartans post a sparkling 21-3-1 mark as the 21 victories ties a program record.  Middlebury (17-2-1) advances to the NCAA Final Four which begins this Friday at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

The Panthers took an early 1-0 advantage when Allen Bourden converted off a corner by Baer Fisher.  Fisher found the head of David LaRocca who was able to flick the ball to the back post.  An alert Bourden tucked home the game's first goal to give his squad the early lead.

Extending their lead to two later in the half, Middlebury's leading scorer Casey Ftorek tallied his 17th score of the season 31:18 into the game.  Brandon Jackson centered his pass to Ftorek who promptly put the Panther's up by two goals heading into the halftime break.

York would desperately attempt to break through the Panther defense but to no avail.  The potent Spartan offense would go begging throughout the 90 minutes.

The Spartans did create several scoring opportunities but it was just simply not their day. 

For the match, Middlebury out-shot the Spartans 14-13 while corner kicks were tied at four apiece.

Kyle Marks (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) recorded three saves for the Spartan side, while his counterpart, Brian Bush, made nine stops for the Panthers.

York bids adieu to eight seniors, including 2006 All-American Andrew Wheeler (Baltimore, Md./Patapsco). Charlie Barrett (Newton, Pa./Archbishop Wood), Matt Beale (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley, Matt Detzel (York, Pa./Central York), Ryan Eaton (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham),  Jason Mancuso (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North), Mike Nantais (Newark, Del./St. Marks), Jason Yarnall (Robesonia, Pa./Conrad Weiser), and Wheeler have each made incredible contributions to the Spartan program. Beginning in the 2004 season, York sports an immaculate 76-10-7 record, a program best for a four year period. 

GAME BOX