[MOUNT ST. MARY'S] Mount St. Mary's became the third Division I school this fall to announce plans to drop men's soccer when it confirmed that men's soccer will be one of three sports discontinued after the current academic year. Meanwhile, supporters of the Richmond's men's program were awaiting word if it received a reprieve from the school's board of trustees, which met on Thursday to consider an appeal of the decision to scrap the men's soccer and track & field programs.

Men's and women's golf will also cease following the 2012-13 academic year at Mount St. Mary's, a move that will save the school more than $400,000 annually.

"This is a decision we didn't want to make, but the budget realities require it to protect and re-invest in our remaining Division I programs," said University President Thomas H. Powell in a statement.

The Mount finished with a 4-12-1 record in men's soccer in 2012.

Richmond soccer supporters protested the decision to drop men's soccer in favor of men's lacrosse, saying it was made not on the basis of the merits of the two sports but as a contingency for a donation to hep build a new campus visitor center.

Richmond alumni have raised more than $3 million to reinstate men's  soccer and track & field.

Towson also announced plans to drop men's soccer next season.