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2006 Men's Soccer Awards
Player of the Year/ Rookie of the Year/ Coach of the Year
November 7, 2006
Player of the Year: Zachary Naylon, Alvernia College
Rookie of the Year: Taylor VanBrackle, Eastern University
Coach of the Year: Travis Berger, Alvernia College
All-PAC Men’s Soccer First Team:
Forwards:
Brent Benner, Cabrini College
Taylor VanBrackle, Eastern University
Zach Askin, Arcadia University
Midfielders:
Zach Naylon, Alvernia College
*Matt Abate, Arcadia University
*Matt Benner, Arcadia University
*Cody Gambler, Alvernia College
Backs:
Andrew Plunkett, Arcadia University
Joe Jelinski, College Misericordia
Chad Quinter, Alvernia College
Gary Palko, Wesley College
Goalkeeper:
Ed Hunt, Wesley College
* Repeat Selection
All-PAC Men’s Soccer Second Team:
Forwards:
Mike McDevitt, Cabrini College
Lance Burris, Eastern University
Mike Filipone, Arcadia University
Midfielders:
*Andrew Tescione, Wesley College
Max Campbell, College Misericordia
*Aaron Foss, Arcadia University
*Cliff Gehret, Eastern University
Backs:
Geoff Buckingham, Arcadia University
Peter Hulem, Wesley College
Alex Clark, Eastern University
Trevor Welke, Wesley College
Goalkeepers:
Richard Kessler, Alvernia College
Jeff Kratohwill, Arcadia University
* Repeat Selection
Honorable Mention:
Moss Grande, Alvernia College; Brian Raffle, Eastern University; Joey Spino, Wesley College; Chris Brunetti, Arcadia University; Barry Magagna, Cabrini College; Aaron Tritch, Eastern University; Colin Hyens, College Misericordia; Mike Allegra, Alvernia College; Brian O'Donnell, Gwynedd-Mercy College; Greg Allegra, Alvernia College; Mike Barbagallo, Neumann College.
"Push the Rock Outfitters"
All-PAC Men's Soccer Sportsmanship Team
Alvernia College: Dominic Pirrone
Arcadia University: Mike Filipone
Cabrini College: Barry Magagna
Eastern University: Mike Leitzel
Gwynedd-Mercy College: Dan Ballard
Immaculata University: Ryan Roberts
Marywood University: Christopher (CJ) Macauley
College Misericordia: Matt Sosalski
Neumann College: Joe Fargnoli
Wesley College: Chris Mattern
Player of the Week
2006 Men's Soccer Player of the Week
October 29
Arcadia University’s Matt Abate (Sr, M, Marlton, NJ/ Cherokee) was named the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Men’s Soccer Player of the Week for the week ending October 30th. Abate scored a hat trick and tallied three assists for the Knights in a 2-0 week. Abate notched two assists in the win over non-conference Villa Julie on Tuesday and then a hat trick plus an assist to lead the Knights to defeat Marywood on Friday. Abate is currently third in all-time assists at Arcadia University.
Honor Roll
Dan Ballard, Gwynedd-Mercy College (Sr, G, Upper Black Eddy, PA/ Bethlehem Catholic) tallied three shut outs for the Griffins in a 3-1 (2-0 PAC) week.
Brent Benner, Cabrini College (Sr, F, East Greenville, PA/ Upper Perkiomen) scored four goals and an assist for the Cavaliers in a 1-1 (0-1 PAC) week. Benner scored his third hat trick on the season against Hood College on Tuesday to bring his season goal total to eighteen, third highest total in school history.
October 22
Cabrini College’s Brent Benner (Sr, F, East Greenville, PA/ Upper Perkiomen) was named the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Men’s Soccer Player of the Week for the week ending October 22nd. Benner scored three goals and tallied two assists for the Cavaliers in a 2-0 (1-0 PAC) week.
October 15
Arcadia University’s Chris Brunetti (Sr, M, Philadelphia, PA/ Northeast Catholic) was named the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Men’s Soccer Player of the Week for the week ending October 16th. Brunetti scored two goals for the Knights in a 1-0-1 (1-0 PAC) week. Brunetti leveled the play for Arcadia this week as he scored the game-tying goal against DeSales University on Wednesday and the game-tying goal against Cabrini College on Saturday.
Honor Roll
Ed Hunt, Wesley College (Sr, GK, Collegeville, PA/ Perkiomen Valley) posted five saves in goal for the Wolverines in a 2-0 (2-0 PAC) week.
October 8
Wesley College’s Ed Hunt (Sr, GK, Collegeville, PA/ Perkiomen Valley) was named the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Men’s Soccer Player of the Week for the week ending October 8th. Hunt posted 21 saves in goal for a perfect 1.000 save percentage for the Wolverines’ 3-0 (1-0 PAC) week. Hunt has notched eight shut-outs on the year. This was the second straight week Hunt captured the PAC honor.
Honor Roll
Richard Kessler, Alvernia College(So, GK, Reading PA/ Reading) posted 14 saves, including two shut-outs, for the Crusaders in a 2-0-1 (1-0-1 PAC) week.
Dennis Helverson, Gwynedd-Mercy College(Jr, F, Philadelphia, PA/ North Catholic) scored two game-winning goals for the Griffins in a 2-0 (1-0 PAC) week.
October 1
Wesley College’s Ed Hunt (Sr, GK, Collegeville, PA/ Perkiomen Valley) was named the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Men’s Soccer Player of the Week for the week ending October 1st. For the week, Hunt posted 15 saves in goal for a .937 save percentage. Hunt allowed just one goal in the Wolverines’ three games, earning two shutouts along the way to a 1-0-1 week.
Honor Roll
Matt Benner, Arcadia University(So, M, Telford, PA/ Souderton) notched three goals on the week as he had a hat trick to help the Knights defeat PAC rival Eastern University in overtime on Saturday.
Moss Grande, Alvernia College(Sr, F, Sinking Spring, PA/ Wilson) tallied four goals, including one game winner for the Crusaders in a 2-1 (2-0 PAC) week. In Saturday’s game against Neumann College, Grande was involved in all four goals of the contest.
September 24
Eastern University’s Taylor VanBrackle (Fr, F, Eldersburg, MD/ Liberty) was named the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Men’s Soccer Player of the Week for the week ending September 24th. VanBrackle had six goals for the Eagles in a 3-0 week.
Honor Roll
Stone Gahagan, Immaculata University (Fr, G, Kintersville, PA/ Wyoming Seminary) helped the Mighty Macs record the program’s first ever PAC victory by shutting out Marywood in goal this week.
Zach Naylon, Alvernia College (Sr, M, Shillington, PA/ Governor Mifflin) scored two game-winning goals to help lead the Crusaders in a 2-0 week.
September 17
Arcadia University’s Zach Askin (Sr, M, Elkins Park, PA/ Cheltenhem) was named the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Men’s Soccer Player of the Week for the week ending September 17th. Askin had two goals and three assists for the Knights in a 1-0-1 week.
Honor Roll
Brent Benner, Cabrini College (Sr, F, East Greenville, PA/ Upper Perkiomen) scored school-record 4 goals for the Cavaliers in a 5-1 defeat of Neumann this week.
Cody Gambler, Alvernia College (Sr, F, Mohrsville, PA/ Schukill Valley) scored the game-winning goal to help lead the Crusaders to a 3-1 victory over Cabrini College this week.
September 10
Alvernia College’s Zach Naylon (Sr, M, Shillington, PA/ Governor Mifflin) was named the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Men’s Soccer Player of the Week for the week ending September 10th. Naylon had three goals, including one game-winning goal for the 2-1-0 Crusaders. Naylon received offensive MVP at Rutgers-Camden and All-Tournament Team at both Hampden-Sydney and Rutgers-Camden tournaments.
Honor Roll
Ryan Kirby, Cabrini College (Fr, M, Springfield, PA/ Springfield) scored two goals, including one game winning goal.
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2006 Men's Soccer Championship
Standings | PAC Championship | NCAA Championship | ECAC Championship
2006 PAC Men's Soccer Championship
PAC Quarterfinal
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
1:00pm #3 Eastern 9, #6 Immaculata 0
Eagles Rise in Quarterfinals
ST. DAVID'S, PA- After squandering several first half chances en route to a 1-0 halftime advantage, the Eastern University men's soccer team straightened out their finishing issues for an eight goal second half flurry. With the 9-0 win Eastern, the third seed in the PAC advances to the semifinal on Thursday at Alvernia.
In the 21st minute, freshman Brian Raffle scored his 10th of the year to put the Eagles up 1-0 at the half. Raffle's right footed strike from 30 yards out dipped right under the bar. The second frame opened with the host Eagles pressing forward immediately. Junior Lance Burris took a pass from Scott Patrick and slid a ball home in the 51st minute to put the Eagles up 2-0. Three minutes later Patrick buried a header on a Burris pass from inside the box. In the 59th minute, Burris put the game away when he took a pass from Patrick and slotted a nice nearpost goal from the right side.
The Eastern reserves began to go at goal, and Kieran Keelan netted goals in the 71st and 76th minutes. Phil Jordan scored his first college goal on the Eagle's only second half corner kick in the 73rd minute. Freshman goalkeeper
Chris Jameson put on a field player's jersey and put away two one-time strikes in the waning moments for the 9-0 final.
Eastern, now 13-5-1 on the year, advances to the conference semifinal at Alvernia. The two teams battled to a 1-1 draw just 10 days ago. The Mighty Macs, who made the playoffs in just their second year, finish the year at 7-11.
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1:00pm #4 Wesley 2, #5 Misericordia 1
Wolverines Move on to Semifinals with 2-1 Win
DOVER, DE - Trevor Welke (SO, Southampton, PA/William Tennant) scored the game-winner off of a penalty kick in the 69th minute of play, to help lead #4 Wesley to a 2-1 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Quarterfinal win over #5 College Misericordia, on Tuesday afternoon at Wolverine Stadium. The win breaks the school record for wins by a Wesley team and now the Wolverines will travel to #1 Arcadia University on Thursday, November 2nd, with kick-off set for 1:00 in the semifinals of the conference tournament.
Peter Hulem (JR, Derwood, MD/Magruder) opened up the scoring for Wesley as he put the Wolverines up 1-0 in the 31st minute off a header that was assisted by Gabriel Montecinos (FR, Milford, DE/Milford). Montecinos took a free kick and chipped it over the wall to Hulem who headed the ball in for the goal and an early Wesley lead. Misericordia's Colin Hynes (JR, Candor, NY/Candor Central) evened the score at 1-1 in the 53rd minute off a great run as he leaked in behind the defense to score the equalizer. Both teams continued to play aggressively before Wesley was awarded the penalty kick and took the lead for good.
Wesley held a 16-10 advantage in shots and a 5-2 advantage in corners. Wolverine goalkeeper Ed Hunt (SR, Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) had 2 saves in the win.
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PAC Semifinal
Thursday, November 2, 2006
1:00pm #1 Arcadia 2, #4 Wesley 1
#1 Knights Advance to PAC Championship Game With 2-1 Victory Over #4 Wesley College
Glenside, PA: The #1 seed Arcadia Knights will move on to Saturday's Pennsylvania Athletic Conference championship game following today's 2-1 victory over #4 Wesley College on Arcadia's Kuch Center Field. The Knights will play for their fourth and final PAC Championship title at 1 pm against #2 Alvernia who advanced in PK's 6-5 over #3 Eastern.
From the opening tap, the visiting Wolverines controlled the offense into the fourth minute before Arcadia senior midfielder Billy Cress (Springfield, PA/Springfield) worked his way past three Wesley defenders before his shot was stopped by Wolverine keeper Ed Hunt (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) in the first scoring opportunity of the half. Play transitioned between the two teams until the Wolverines matched with a scoring opportunity of their own six minutes later when junior Matt Doyle's (Manasquan, NJ/Wall) header sailed inches above the crossbar behind AU keeper Jeff Kratohwill (Pennsburg, PA/Upper Perkiomen).
Scoring opportunities from that point on were hard to come by with both teams playing tight defense, however in the 13th minute of play, Arcadia senior Mike Filipone (Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic) broke away from a defender and took the ball to just outside of the box before he was pulled down by the Wesley defense resulting in a penalty kick for the home team. Senior Matt Abate (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), this week's PAC Player of the Week, stepped up for the shot and sailed the ball to left goalside, brushing the fingertips of Hunt and into the twine giving the Knights the 1-0 lead. Wesley had one final chance at a the tie in the closing minutes of the half on a Joey Spino (Pennsauken, NJ/Camden) breakaway that Kratohwill charged at and turned aside to keep Wesley off the board.
Wesley came out strong in the opening minutes of the second half and following a scramble in front of the net with Kratohwill down, Matt Doyle recovered the ball and slipped it past the keeper at 46:11 to knot the game at 1-all. Again, the tight defense took over from both ends before the game's next scoring opportunity occurred in the 66th minute off the foot of Wesley junior CJ Twombly (Pasadena, MD/Northeast) who sailed another Wolverine shot just inches over the crossbar.
Ten minutes would go by before the Knights would rebound with a chance of their own. Following an AU corner kick and throw in, the Knights were awarded another corner opportunity with Abate stepping up for the service. The senior served a high ball into junior back Andrew Plunkett (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) who nailed the header down into the short corner past Hunt for the go-ahead goal that turned out to be the game-winner.
Arcadia kept the pressure on and just under a minute later senior Zach Askin (Elkins Park, PA/Cheltenhem) found himself in a 3 on 1, controlling the ball long enough with three Wolverine defenders surrounding him, shooting just high over the net behind Hunt. The Wolverines made attempts at a score in the remaining minutes of play but were stonewalled by Kratohwill. Joey Spino played two shots into Kratohwill in the 86th minute that the rookie keeper turned aside and Wesley senior Andrew Tescione (Lynnfield, MA/Bridgeton Academy) sent in a far side free kick that Kratohwill saved to preserve the one goal victory. Kratohwill notched 6 saves to Hunt's 5 with Wesley earning the small advantage in shots on goal 6-5.
Abate finished with a goal (7th of the season) and an assist as he takes over second place in career assists at AU with 27, just one shy of tying the school record. Plunkett's game-winner was his fifth goal of the season and second game-winner.
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1:00pm #2 Alvernia 0, #3 Eastern 0 (2OT)
Penalty Kicks: #2 Alvernia 6, #3 Eastern 5
#2 Alvernia Advances To First PAC Final In PKs Over #3 Eastern
Grande Buries Penalty Kick Crusaders Move On 6-5
READING, PA - Senior forward Moss Grande (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) drove home a left-footed shot to send second-seeded Alvernia College to its first Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Championship with a 6-5 decision in penalty kicks over #3 Eastern University Thursday afternoon at Albright College's Shirk Stadium.
After 110 minutes of scoreless soccer that featured spectacular saves by both goalies, the first four shooters for both teams found the back of the net in the shootout sessions. Alvernia keeper Richard Kessler (Reading, PA/Reading) dove to his right to deny Eastern's fifth shooter, sophomore Mike Dorsch (Wilmington, DE/Wilmington Christian) setting up senior Zach Naylon (Shillington, PA/Governor Mifflin) with a chance to win the shootout, but Eastern junior Noah Bartlett (Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) kept the Eagles in the match with a diving stop to his right.
Eastern junior Aaron Tritch (Watsontown, PA/Meadowbrook Christian) missed the net as the first extra shooter, but Alvernia senior Greg Allegra (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) did the same to continue the shootout. Eastern's Alex Clark (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Acad.) and Alvernia's Mike Allegra (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan) both converted, and after Jason Monte (Perkasie, PA/Christopher Dock) dinged one off the crossbar, Grande beat Bartlett igniting the Alvernia celebration.
With the last two games in the series ending in tie scores, both teams felt each other out through the first 45 minutes of play. Alvernia had perhaps the best scoring opportunity in the opening frame on a semi-scrum in front of Bartlett, but the junior keeper emerged with the ball and kept the game scoreless. The Crusaders (10-4-4) held the slightest 2-1 edge in shots in the first half and each team had one corner kick.
The offense was a bit more available over the second 45 minutes with Eastern (13-5-2) holding a 7-5 edge in shots in the second half. Both teams had excellent scoring opportunities, but both keepers showed why they anchor a highly respected team in the Mid-Atlantic region. Alvernia's chance came on a set piece when Grande poked a free ball into play that Naylon ripped past the right edge of the defensive wall. Diving to his left, Bartlett redirected the cutting shot past the far post to deny the effort. Eastern's best chance in the frame came later when Scott Patrick (Harrisburg, PA/Lower Dauphin) dribbled across the top of the box and ripped a left-footed shot against the grain toward the near post, but Kessler laid out to push the shot out of harm's way.
The first overtime period was similar to the first half with Eastern posting the only shots of the frame getting off a pair of efforts and earning one corner kick. Kessler needed just one save to move the game to a second overtime and Bartlett was not tested in the first overtime.
Much like the second period of regulation, the second overtime featured quality chances for both teams. Kessler pushed a crack from Kieran Keelan (Broomall, PA/DELCO Christian) over the bar midway through the frame and Bartlett was up to the task on a dipping rip from Alvernia reserve David Schaeffer (Pottstown, PA/Pottstown).
Alvernia and Eastern needed penalty kicks to solve their 2005 PAC Semifinal match-up with Eastern advancing to the final. Alvernia returned the favor this season and will face top-seeded Arcadia University at 1:00 p.m. Saturday in Glenside. Thursday's semifinal was played at Albright due to poor field conditions at Alvernia following Wednesday night's heavy rain.
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PAC Championship Game
Saturday, November 4, 2006
1:00pm #1 Arcadia 1, #2 Alvernia 0
Knights Pull Out Thrilling 1-0 Victory Over Alvernia for 4th and Final PAC Title
Glenside, PA: Arcadia (11-3-5) waited until 46 seconds remaining in regulation to put the game's first goal on the board to secure their 4th and final PAC championship in thrilling fashion over the #2 seed Alvernia College Crusaders (10-5-4) in Glenside.
The game winner came on an Arcadia throw-in from the right side with under a minute remaining in regulation. Matt Abate (SR, M, Cherokee/Marlton, NJ) served a high ball into Andrew Plunkett (JR, B, Brick Memorial/Brick, NJ) who headed it to Geoff Buckingham (SR, M, Sterling/Stratford, NJ). With the Alvernia defense swarming him, Buckingham poked the ball through and it trickled past Crusader keeper Richard Kessler (SO, GK, Reading/Reading, PA) sending the crowd into a frenzy.
It was a well played game from start to finish by both teams, featuring tight defense and solid goaltending from Kessler and Arcadia's Jeff Kratohwill (FR, GK, Upper Perkiomen/Pennsburg, PA).
Alvernia's first scoring opportunity came in the 29th minute off the foot of Mike Allegra (SR, M, Archbishop Ryan/Philadelphia, PA) who drilled a shot to the short post that Kratohwill spralled to save. Alvernia was awarded a corner moments later with Greg Allegra (SR, D, Archbishop Ryan/Philadelphia, PA) booting the ball at the 18 into goal with Kratohwill down, but the rookie GK drilled the ball with his foot back out of the box.
Arcadia countered in the 25th minute on a corner opportunity of their own that Abate served into the box but the Avernia defense was all over it heading it back out. Arcadia's Chris Brunetti (SR, M, Northeast Catholic/Philadelphia, PA) was waiting outside of the box and immediately serviced back into Buckingham who's header found it's way into Kesslers gloves.
The shots were dead even at the half at 7 apeice with Arcadia holding the small advantage in corners 3-2.
The Crusaders posted the first scoring opportunity of the second half as Moss Grande (SR, F, Sinking Spring, PA) sailed a shot into Kratohwill who made the diving save. Arcadia followed with a chance in the 55th minute with two shots from Mike Fillipone (SR, M, Roman Catholic/Philadelphia, PA) and Zach Askin (SR, F, Cheltenhem/ Elkins Park, PA), both turned aside by Kessler. Nine minutes later, Grande received a ball that he one timed into goal but Kratohwill came up the big-time save keeping the Crusaders off the board.
Both teams followed with good looks in the remaining minutes but neither goalkeeper would budge as the defense remainded tight until Arcadia was awarded the throw in with a minute remaining in the game that resulted in the gamewinner from Buckingham.
The shots for the game were even at 13 with the Knights on top with corners 10-3 while six yellow cards were handed out, three for each team.
With the win, the Knights receive automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament while Alvernia awaits a Pool C. Selections will be announce Monday morning at 10 am.
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2006 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
Friday, November 10, 2006- First Round
Arcadia University 3, Franklin & Marshall 2 (OT)
Overtime Goal Sends Knights to Second Round Where Messiah Awaits:
Fifth Straight Win for Knights; Abate is New AU All Time Career Assists Leader
Grantham, PA- Arcadia solved two one goal deficits to stun the Diplomats of Franklin & Marshall 3-2 in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship at Messiah College this evening. With the victory, the 12-3-5 PAC Champions advance to Saturday's second round showdown with the two-time defending national champion Messiah Falcons (17-1-1) in Grantham at 6 pm. The Falcons waited until the second half to put up 2 goals in a shutout victory in tonight's other first round dual with DeSales University (13-5-3).
The Knights worked for their chances from the opening tap with the Diplomats quick to shutdown AU attempts to move the ball into their zone, with both teams seeming content to just play nip and tuck around the center cirlce waiting for the perfect chance. The Knights took it upon themselves to put forth the game's first scoring chance; and it was a good one.
Mike Filipone (SR, M, Philadelphia, PA) received the ball short of the 11 yard line and dribbled diagonally across the goalmouth striking the ball into a diving Ed Sheltz who served up the game's first big save.
F & M showed a sign of things to come with the game's next big chance as the speedy Brandon Corday broke in on AU keeper Jeff Kratohwill (FR, Pennsburg, PA) twice with the steady netminder turning away both, one with his hands, and one with his foot.
The Diplomats pressed AU for much of the initial half with either team getting a combination of opportune scoring chances and shots sailing wide of the goal. At the midway point of the first half, AU's Chris Brunetti (SR, M, Philadelphia, PA) played the ball to Filipone, waiting again at the 11, who tucked the ball and rifled it in on Sheltz in what resulted in an unsuccessful corner attempt from AU. The Diplomats answered with an attempt of their own when a free kick by F & M's Ryan McGonigle had eyes for the top corner but Kratohwill vaulted to punch it up and over the net to keep the game scoreless.
With the Diplomats holding the first half advantage in shots 10-5, the Knights saw what their opponents had in store and needed to both contain them and captilalize on every second half opportunity.
The Knights started the chilly second half trying to put some heat on offense with one ball finding it's way through to Sheltz who made the routine save. Minutes ticked off the clock with pressure from both teams when in the 58th minute a F & M throw in resulted in a one goal deficit for AU. Corday serviced towards the far left goal post with Matt McCall getting high enough over his defender, using his noggen to bump the ball to the far side past Kratohwill putting his Diplomats up 1-0 with a little over 30 minutes to play.
A few minutes later Andrew Plunkett pounced on a ball putting it past Sheltz but the Knights were called on a misfortunate offsides and the goal was disallowed. The Diplomats wouldn't give much to AU as the game remained tight before the Knights were awarded a free kick with 9 minutes remaining. Matt Abate (SR, M Marlton, NJ) stepped forward to take the shot, picked his spot and missled the ball above a wall of F & M defenders into the back of the net to make it anyone's game at 1-1.
In a game that was all about responding, F & M didn't let AU's comeback goal get them down. And again it was Corday, chipping it into Chris Campbell waiting at the right goal post. Campbell headed it down into the short corner for the goal-ahead tally with 3 minutes reamining. With the clock in favor of the Diplomats, AU pushed through and answered again at 88:58 with Zach Askin (SR, F, Elkins Park, PA) feeding the ball to Chris Brunetti (SR, M, Philadelphia, PA) to ignite the AU fans with the teams' second come back goal of the game. With the score tied at 2, the Diplomats nearly sent the Knights packing with 30 seconds left as Campbell rang one off the crossbar and down at Kratohwill in the final scoring chance of regulation.
The teams entered the first of the possible two ten minute OT sessions and just when it seemed as if the crowd settled in for a tight defensive battle, what was in store next made this championship experience deserving of AU. Thirty seconds in, Askin pushed down the left sideline with his defender holding upright but the senior was on the spot with a cross to Matt Abate at the far side. Abate gladly provided the ball to Matt Benner who gave Abate the school career assist record on the overtime game winner that left the Diplomats stunned and roared thunderd of AU accolades throughout the chilly November night. It would be the second straight contest where last minute heroics propelled the Knights season as the team will finally match up against Messiah; the two teams were scheduled to play each other earlier in the season however the game was cancelled due to unplayable field conditions in Grantham.
Kratohwill had a winning effort in net in his first NCAA championship experience totalling 4 saves while his counter part Steltz turned away 5.
With the win, Arcadia will return in less than 24 hours to face the two-time defending national champion Messiah Falcons on their home field at 6 pm. The winner willmove on to Sectionals, November 18-19.
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Saturday, November 11, 2006- Second Round
Messiah 3, Arcadia 0
Knights End Sensational Season with 3-0 Loss to Messiah in NCAA 2nd Round Action
Grantham, PA- Chances were few and far between this evening for the Knights as the Messiah Falcons played pressure defense to stifle the Knights relentless efforts in a 3-0 loss to the two-time defending national champions in NCAA 2nd round action. The home 18-1-1 Falcons will advance to the Sectional round next weekend while the 12-4-5 Knights retire an exciting fall season behind the leadership of nine graduating seniors.
The midfield provided much of the focus for the opening minutes with both teams accelerating from sideline to sideline. The Knights were tested first with two direct kicks from Messiah before the 25th minute that the 5 man wall in front of keeper Jeff Kratohwill (FR, Pennsburg, PA) blocked down. Messiah's Kai Kasiguran recovered the ball in the box 8 yards in front of Kratohwill and layed a shot in that the keeper bobbled and recovered for his first save of the contest. Messiah kept the pressure on AU and their last scoring chance in the half began with San Wagner dribbling through the box, striking the ball to the far corner. Kratohwill leaped across the goal line to grab the ball down sending the Falcons away shaking their heads. Zach Askin (SR, Elkins Park, PA) recorded AU's only shot of the half that Falcon goalie Dustin Shambach turned aside to send the teams into the half tied at 0.
The Knights began the second half without the prescence of Chris Brunetti (SR, Philadelphia, PA), a key player in the center midfield. Two minutes into the second half the game shifted in favor of the home team when Arcadia was penalized with a hand ball in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for Messiah. Kasiguran faced down Kratohwill and straightlined the ball to the far bottom corner but Kratohwil was there in time, diving to bump the ball away. But the ball went right to an open Kasiguran putting his own rebound into the opposite corner for the 1-0 Messiah lead.
The Falcons used a deep bench to keep fresh legs on the field and stifled AU opportunities to get shots on goal as Kratohwill continued to hold down the net despite many cross attempts from Messiah. Messiah's Mike Rinker reeled off a shot in the 55th minute that Kratohwill denied but again the Falcons recovered their own rebound as Rinker burried the ball in the right corner to put his team up 2-0. Despite being down a pair of goals, the Knights pressed on creating opportunities in the open spaces they could find but Messiah recovered quickly from any mistakes they made to hold AU shotless in the second half.
In the 67th minute, the home team added an extra insurace marker to put the game out of reach from Arcadia . Josh Sanders moved the ball in towards goal and sent the ball into the far net for the teams' 3rd and final score of the game.
Kratohwill was stellar in goal for the Knights making 11 saves in the game. It was the final game in an Arcadia uniform for Zach Askin (Elkins Park, PA/Cheltenhem), Stephan Szygiel (Chalfont, PA/CB West), Chris Brunetti (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast Catholic), Matt Abate (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), Mike Filipone (Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic), Aaron Foss (Doylestown, PA/CB West), Billy Cress (Springfield, PA/Springfield), Geoff Buckingham (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) and Justin Savino (Wilmington, DE/Charter HS of Wilmington). The team provided an exciting season behind first year head coach Derrick Ayers by winning the PAC Championship for the final time at home as the #1 seed, and advancing to the second round of the NCAA championship with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over Franklin & Marshall Friday evening.
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2006 ECAC Men's Soccer Championship
Thursday, November 9, 2006- First Round
#5 Gettysburg College 3, #4 Wesley College 2 (OT)
Wesley Taken Out in Overtime by Bullets, 3-2
DOVER, DE - Wesley College (14-5-2) lost to Gettysburg College (11-5-4) by a final score of 3-2 in overtime, in the Quarterfinal Round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Men's Soccer Southern Division Tournament, on Thursday night at Wolverine Stadium. Gettysburg will now travel to Grove City College on Saturday, November 11th for the semifinal round of the ECAC Southern Division Tournament.
Wesley opened up the scoring first as Kenny Heidtmann (JR, Southold, NY/Southold) headed a corner off the foot of Joey Spino (SR, Pennsauken, NJ/Camden Catholic) to put Wesley up 1-0 in the 17th minute of play. The Wolverines held that lead through the first half, but the Bullets scored in the 51st minute off an unassisted goal by Chris Bayon (SO, Langhorne, PA/Lawrenceville) to tie the game at 1-1. Gettysburg then scored again to take a 2-1 lead off another unassisted goal in the 77th minute, off a beautiful shot from 18 yards out by Ian Forster (SO, Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks East). Spino scored the equalizer for Wesley less than three minutes later as Heidtmann assisted on a shot from 20 yards out.
The overtime period did not last long as Gettysburg scored just 1:40 into the extra frame off a goal by Jesse Gemberling-Johnson (JR, Wyndmoor, PA/Christopher Dock) for the game-winner and to advance the Bullets into the semifinal round.
Gettysburg held a 14-12 advantage in shots and a 3-1 advantage in corners. Wesley goalkeeper Matt Sturdivant (FR, Bear, DE/Caravel) posted 4 saves in goal for the Wolverines on the night.
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#6 Alvernia College 1, # 3 Penn State Altoona 0
Naylon's Goal Leads #6 Alvernia Past #3 Penn St. Altoona, 1-0
Kessler Saves Five, Adds To Season Shutout Record
Altoona, PA - Senior midfielder Zach Naylon (Shillington, PA/Governor Mifflin) notched his ninth goal of the season and sophomore goalie Richard Kessler (Reading, PA/Reading) made five saves to pick up his eighth shutout as sixth-seeded Alvernia College defeated #3 Penn State Altoona 1-0 Thursday evening in a quarterfinal match-up of the Eastern College Athletic Conference South Region Championships at Spring Run Stadium.
Alvernia (11-5-4) will travel to #2 Carnegie Mellon Saturday for a semifinal match-up with the Tartans, a 3-0 winner over #7 Westminster College on Wednesday. The other semifinal match, also played at CMU, will feature #8 Grove City versus the winner of the #5 Gettysburg/#4 Wesley College match. Grove City advanced on penalty kicks (3-1) over top-seeded Swarthmore College on Wednesday.
Alvernia used efficient offense and stout defense to topple Altoona on Thursday. The Crusaders managed just three shots on the night with Naylon's goal, his first since September 30, coming on a direct kick in the 40th minute that he lofted over the Lions' goalie. The Crusaders also have a streak of defensive struggles dating back to the 4-1 win over Neumann College on the 30th. In the past 10 games, the Maroon and Gold has neither scored nor given up more than one goal in a game, and are 4-3-3 in those games.
Naylon finished the night with two of Alvernia's three shots. The other came from senior forward Cody Gambler (Mohrsville, PA/Schuylkill Valley). Kessler made three of his five saves in the second half when the host Lions enjoyed the benefit of a heavy tailwind and a 10-1 advantage in shots. Altoona generated 15 shots on the night and held a 10-5 edge in corners. PSU keeper Mike Ginnona gave up one goal in 90 minutes without registering a save.
This is Alvernia's first appearance in the ECAC Championships and its first meeting with PSU Altoona. Saturday will also be the first meeting with Carnegie Mellon. Kessler holds the Alvernia single season record for shutouts with eight and the career mark with 10.
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Thursday, November 9, 2006- Semifinals
#2 Carnegie Mellon 3, #6 Alvernia 0
Three-Goal Second Leads #2 Carnegie Mellon Past #6 Alvernia 3-0
Kessler Saves Eight For Crusaders
Pittsburgh, Pa. (Nov. 11, 2006) - Second-seeded Carnegie Mellon scored twice in the opening 11 minutes of the second half and added a third in the 63rd minute for a 3-0 win over #6 Alvernia College Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Men's Soccer Championships at Carnegie Mellon.
Alvernia sophomore Richard Kessler (Reading, PA/Reading) made five of his eight saves in the first half to keep the Tartans off the board and preserve a scoreless tie at the break. CMU broke through just over five minutes into the second half when Jonathan Browne drove home a one-timer from Jonathan Simon.
Andrew Park put the hosts up 2-0 five minutes later on a breakaway goal unassisted. Jonathan Simon followed with a goal on a header in the 63rd minute assisted by Ryan Browne. CMU will face #5 Gettysburg College in the ECAC Final on Sunday following the Bullets' 2-0 victory over #8 Grove City on Saturday.
CMU held a 17-6 advantage in shots and a 4-2 lead in corners, all of which came in the first half. Tartan keepers Matthew Bazin and Robert Vargo combined to make three saves for the shutout.
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