WARRIOR MEN’S SOCCER WINS CONFERENCE MATCH
Extends Win Streak to Seven Matches

WILLIAMSPORT, PA. – The Lycoming College men’s soccer team hosted Wilkes University, Thursday afternoon, for their first conference match of the season. The Warriors scored a goal in each half while holding the Colonels scoreless to pick up the 2-0 victory. The win also extends Lycoming’s winning streak to seven games, tying the longest streak in the history of the program. The Warriors improve to 7-1 overall and 1-0 in the Freedom Conference with the win. Wilkes drops to 2-6-1, and 0-1-1.

Ian Kauffman (Sr./Lewisberry, Pa.; Red Land) recorded the games’ first goal 28 minutes into the contest. Kauffman scored on a header after leaping above the defense on a corner kick by Ryan Wertz (So./Middletown, Pa.; Middletown). The Colonels responded with strong pressure late in the half but could not find the back of the net leaving the score at 1-0 at the intermission.

Lycoming regained the momentum out of the locker room and quickly added an insurance goal. Jeff Kocher (So./Churchville, Md.; C. Milton Wright) put on a clinic in footwork as he beat multiple defenders to gain a clear shot from just left of the goal. As the keeper moved to protect the far post, Kocher crossed him up and slid the ball inside the near post for a 2-0 lead. Joey Balduino (Sr./Washington, N.J.; Warren Hills Regional) played the ball forward to Kocher to tally the assist.

Jason Fesler (Jr./Carlisle, Pa.; Cumberland Valley) played another strong match in goal for the Warriors, making seven saves and recording his second consecutive shutout. Fesler has now played 214 minutes without allowing a goal. As a team Lycoming has not given up a goal in the last 234 minutes of play.

“Tying the program’s longest winning streak is a great accomplishment that our players should be proud of, but this was an important win for a lot of other reasons,” said head coach Scott Kennell. “We played well from the opening whistle with good pressure on offense and solid defense in front of another tremendous performance in goal. There are still areas in which we can play better, but starting off conference play with a victory is huge.”

The Warriors out-shot Wilkes 20-12 and had nine corner kicks to just two for the Colonels. Dominick Proctor made seven saves in goal for Wilkes.

Lycoming plays again on Sunday, September 28, when they travel to Baruch College in New York City. The Warriors will return home on Tuesday, September 30, to host conference rival DeSales University.

Lycoming 2, Wilkes 0
                        1      2        Final
Wilkes              0      0        0
Lycoming          1      1        2

Scoring Summary:
LC – Ian Kauffman (Ryan Wertz); 28^th min.
LC – Jeff Kocher (Joe Balduino); 53^rd min.

Shots: LC-20, WU-12
Corners: LC-9, WU-2
Saves: LC-7, WU-8