The Baltimore area is well known as the mecca of collegiate lacrosse -- and deservedly so, with teams like Johns Hopkins, Loyola, Towson, and UMBC all inclose proximity and Navy and Maryland not too far away as well. But perhaps another sport should get some of the spotlight as the Baltimore region can also boast of some of the best collegiate men's soccer programs in the nation.

Local fans will get to see four of these teams this weekend, as UMBC will host the Battle of Baltimore Soccer Tournament this Friday and Sunday,September 6 and 8. The action gets underway at 2 p.m. on Friday, when Navy takes on Towson, and at 4 p.m., UMBC will entertain Loyola. The tournament continues on Sunday, and will be led off by a high school rivalry game, as Calvert Hall takes on Loyola at noon. The collegiate consolationgame and championship game follow.

Loyola may be the pre-tournament favorite, having made it to soccer's "Sweet Sixteen" last season, finishing the year at 17-2-2. Towson was not farbehind, recording one NCAA win en route to a 16-5-1 season. Navy was an impressive 11-3-3 in 2001, while the Retrievers, a 1999 NCAA Tourney team,were 9-6-2 a year ago. The four teams have met many times on the soccer field throughout their histories, but have never participated in a Division I tournament of this nature. The same four squads plan to reprise this format at Loyola next season.

Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students each day.