ERIE – The Mount Aloysius men’s soccer team is heading back to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Championship match after defeating Penn State Behrend, 1-0, on Wednesday afternoon in Erie, Pa. The Mounties avenged a 3-1 regular-season loss to Behrend with a gritty road victory to punch their ticket to the title match.

Mount Aloysius struck early, as senior Braden Callahan (Duncansville, Pa., Hollidaysburg) netted the game’s lone goal in the sixth minute off an assist from fellow senior Daniel Irujo (Pamplona, Spain, Sagrado Corazon). The early advantage proved to be enough, as the Mountie defense held firm against a strong Behrend attack. The Mounties limited the Lions to just two shots on goal despite facing 11 total shots and eight corner kicks.

With the win, Mount Aloysius (12-5-3) advances to the AMCC Championship match, where they will face La Roche University (9-4-4) on Saturday at the Baierl Athletic Complex in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Redhawks will be seeking their first AMCC title in program history, while the Mounties are aiming to capture their first conference crown since going back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.

The victory also marks another milestone for Head Coach Matt Davis, who is in his sixth season at the helm and first in his second stint leading the program. Davis previously guided the Mounties to an AMCC title in 2015 before stops at Williams College and Saint Vincent College. His return has helped restore Mount Aloysius as a contender within the conference, as the team now stands one win away from reclaiming the AMCC championship.

Kickoff for Saturday’s title match against La Roche is currently scheduled for 2 p.m.