LYCOMING MEN’S SOCCER SHUTS OUT FDU-FLORHAM
Advances to Freedom Conference Playoffs

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College men’s soccer team hosted FDU-Florham, Saturday afternoon, with a trip to the Freedom Conference playoffs on the line. The Warriors recorded their fourth consecutive shutout and scored two goals in the final 20 minutes to defeat the Devils 2-0. The victory improves Lycoming’s record to 15-4 overall this season and 4-3 within the conference. The Warriors not only qualified for the post-season tournament, but also will be the number-two seed and host a semifinal match on November 5. FDU falls to 9-8 overall and 3-4 in the Freedom. The Devils, however, back into the conference playoffs as the number-four seed.

Phil Kratochvil (So./Bel Air, Md.; C. Milton Wright) recorded the game-winning goal for Lycoming in the 73^rd minute. Ryan Wertz (So./Middletown, Pa.; Middletown) assisted on the play. Ryan Burgett (So./Carlisle, Pa.; Carlisle) added an insurance goal with just a minute to play off an assist by Dan Jackson (Fr./Windsor, N.J.; Lawrence).

Jason Fesler (Jr./Carlisle, Pa.; Cumberland Valley) tallied the shutout in goal for the Warriors, making 12 saves. The shutout was Fesler’s second in a row. He has now played 349 minutes in net without allowing a goal.

The playoff berth extends what has been a turn-around season for Lycoming’s men’s soccer program. After toiling through three losing seasons in which the team won a combined 16 matches, the 2003 Warriors sit at 15-4. They also went 4-3 in conference play after going a combined 0-14 in 2001 and 2002.

Lycoming will host DeSales University in the semifinals of the Freedom Conference tournament on Wednesday, November 5, at a time to be determined. Drew University will host FDU-Florham in the other semifinal match. The winner of the conference tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs.

Lycoming 2, FDU-Florham 0
                        1      2        Final
FDU-Florham     0      0        0
Lycoming          0      2        2

Scoring Summary:
LC – Phil Kratochvil (Ryan Wertz); 73^rd min.
LC – Ryan Burgett (Dan Jackson); 89^th min.

Shots: LC-23, FDU-14
Corners: LC-9, FDU-4
Saves: LC-12, FDU-11