By Eric Goldwein

The Lafayette Men’s Soccer Team (2-2-2) won’t control its own destiny as it heads into the regular season finale against Bucknell (2-4) tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in Lewisburg, Penn.

The Leopards need a victory over the Bison to keep their postseason hopes alive, while a loss or tie would result in elimination from the four-team tournament.

Wins by Colgate and Army, who play later in the evening, would help Lafayette’s postseason chances. The players, however, remain focused on the task at hand.

Midfielder Wayne Maminski ‘12 and defender Luke Calvano ‘12 see similarities between the Leopards and the Bison, who are eliminated from postseason contention.

“They’re good, don’t get me wrong,” Maminski said about Bucknell, winners of the previous two Patriot League Championships.

“It’s hard to approach the game where they’re struggling, but you know they’re a good team,” Calvano said. “Sometimes I feel the same way about us. I don’t think our record really reflects what kind of team we are.”

Lafayette is winless in its previous three Patriot League matches, including overtime losses to American (5-1) and Colgate (4-1-1). On Saturday, Lafayette and Army (2-3-1) played to a scoreless draw.

On Tuesday, Lafayette defeated Delaware 3-0 with most of the regulars on the sidelines. Kyle Scharfenberg ‘13, Peter Adubato ‘14 and Alec Golini ‘14 scored for the Leopards.

The players prepared for the regular season finale like any other game.

“After a whole long season, and years of years of playing,” Calvano said, “there’s nothing you can do with a week of practice. It’s all mental at this point.”

Lafayette, scoreless in its last three league matches, recognizes the importance of getting on the board first.

“The team effort is always there, the defensive effort is there,” Calvano said. “Somebody has got to put the team on their shoulders.”

Lafayette was left out of the tournament for the first time in eight years last season, despite coming through in its final two league matches.

The Leopards are hopeful that this season won’t end in disappointment.

Laf PL Tournament scenario

Lafayette earns the No. 4 seed with:

A win over Bucknell and a Lehigh loss or tie against Army.

A win and a Navy loss to Colgate.

Lafayette earns the No. 3 seed with:

A win, a Navy loss and a Lehigh loss/tie.

The Leopards are eliminated with a loss or tie.