BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The American University men's soccer team claimed the 2016 Patriot League Regular Season title with a 3-1 win over Lehigh on Saturday night. The Eagles will host next weekend's PL Semifinals and Final at Reeves Field.

"I am proud of the guys and the coaching staff," said head coach Todd West. "We hope and think that we are peaking at the right time."

Dale Ludwig scored twice for the Eagles on Saturday with all three coming in the first 35 minutes of play. Max Holdsworth put the Eagles on the board early in the first half. 

American finished with a 17-8 edge in shots and a 6-1 in corner kicks. 

Lehigh finished the contest with nine players due to a pair of yellow cards assessed to Jack Miskel and Tommy Dokho. 

Lucas Belanger made one save for his 10th win of the season. Belanger has allowed four goals during league play with six shutouts in nine games.

Panos Nakhid, Kibu Mbaluku, Joe Iraola and Danny Kaiser each had assists on the three AU goals. 

In the 11th minute, it was Mbaluku and Nakhid who set up Holdsworth with a shot to the Lehigh keeper Will Smith right side. 

Ludwig scored both of his goal with headers off corner kicks from inside the six-yard box. His first goal came off a service by Iraola and his second was sent by Kaiser.

"Dale showed tonight why he should be the this year's PL Player of the Year," said West.

NOTES: American (10-5-4, 7-1-1 PL) will host the final two rounds of the league tournament for the first time since 2012. The Eagles picked to win the league in the PL Preseason Poll, will play the lowest remaining seed on Friday at 11 am.

In the PL Quarterfinals on Tuesday, Army West Point will travel to Colgate while Bucknell heads to Boston U. 

American defeated all four potential semifinal opponents during the regular season.

Loyola (Md.), the second seed in the semifinals will play the higher remaining seed on Friday at 1:30 p.m. The Greyhounds have a win over Colgate, tied Army West Point and Boston and lost to Bucknell.

The Patriot League Network will carry all three games from Reeves Field with Nick Papadis on the call.

TICKETS: Ticket for the Patriot League Semifinals and Finals are set at $8 for adults and $5 for youth & seniors — per session — and can be obtained at Reeves Field with the ticket table opening at 10 a.m. on Friday and noon on Sunday. Students of participating institutions are admitted free of charge with valid student ID.