PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The West Liberty University men's soccer team is set to make its fourth consecutive Mountain East Conference Tournament appearance this Sunday when the No. 6-seeded Hilltoppers travel to No. 3-seeded Point Park for a 4 p.m. kickoff at Highmark Stadium in the MEC Men's Soccer Championship Quarterfinals.

The Hilltoppers (6-8-4, 4-7-3 MEC) enter postseason play looking to make program history with their first-ever MEC Tournament victory. They'll face a familiar opponent in Point Park (8-8-2, 7-5-2 MEC), a team that earned a pair of close wins over West Liberty during the regular season.

In their first meeting at the West Family Complex, West Liberty battled through a scoreless first half before Point Park struck twice late to take a 2–0 decision. Goalkeeper Emil Vernhamn kept the Hilltoppers in contention with nine saves, including seven in the opening 45 minutes.

The rematch in Pittsburgh was equally tight, with the Hilltoppers firing 20 total shots (13 on goal) in an attacking effort that tested the Pioneers from start to finish. Leyton Collier scored in the 39th minute to level the match 1–1 before Point Park converted a second-half penalty to escape with a 2–1 win.

West Liberty's balanced lineup has produced 30 goals and 18 assists this season, averaging 1.67 goals per match while generating over 11 shots per game. Defensively, the Hilltoppers have been anchored by goalkeepers Vernhamn and Shai'ya Henry, who have combined for 94 saves on the year.

Point Park counters with a dynamic attack that averages 1.33 goals per game and has relied on timely finishing and solid goalkeeping, with Gregorio Capponi posting 98 saves on the season.

Head coach Sean Regan said his squad is eager for the postseason challenge:

"We are excited to be in the MEC playoffs for the fourth straight year. Our team goal this year was to win the program's first-ever playoff game, and Sunday presents us that opportunity. Point Park are a good side who beat us twice this year already. We know it will be a tough task, but we are up for the challenge."

Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh.