The York College athletic department has released a statement explaining why the NCAA recently penalized the Spartans' men's soccer program.

On Friday, the NCAA soccer secretary/rules editor issued a decision that York would have to forfeit three games. Two coaches were also suspended.

Rule 12.11 of the NCAA soccer rule book states that a suspended coach is prohibited from any communication with the team, coaches and/or bench personnel from the start of a contest to its completion.

On Sept. 29, first-year assistant coach Andrew Marshall watched the entire Salisbury game from the stands while he served a suspension that resulted from the issuance of a red card at the conclusion of the Spartans' previous game (at Messiah).

However, at halftime, Marshall was observed in brief contact with the team. The penalty for the violation was not discovered until after Marshall and Head Coach Mark Ludwig had participated in two more games.

Ultimately, NCAA officials have determined that all three games must be forfeited and that suspensions for both coaches must be extended.

The York College athletic department, according to the statement, has accepted the sanctions and have addressed the rules violation on an internal level.

Despite the forfeits, the York men's soccer team secured the third seed in the upcoming Capital Athletic Conference Tournament. York's record is now 10-5-2 overall and 3-2-1 in the CAC.

Marshall will return to the bench on Oct. 24 in a non-conference match against Manhattanville. Ludwig will be back on the sidelines when York opens the CAC tournament against St. Mary's on Oct. 28 at Graham Field in York.

YORK COLLEGE NOTE

BAKER HONORED BY CAC: York College freshman goalie Abby Baker has been named the Capital Athletic Conference Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week. Baker recorded a pair of CAC shutouts this week to help the Spartans earn a first-round home field game. Baker shut out Frostburg on Thursday, making two saves. She followed that with a 1-0 whitewashing of St. Mary's on the road on Saturday, making four saves, to help York earn the fourth seed in the CAC Tournament. The two shutouts were Baker's first collegiate shutouts.