WARRIOR MEN’S SOCCER DEFEATS SCRANTON

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College men’s soccer team hosted the University of Scranton, Wednesday afternoon, in a pivotal Freedom Conference match-up. The Warriors scored the only goal of the contest with just five minutes to play to defeat the Royals 1-0. Lycoming improves to 14-4 overall and 3-3 within the conference with the win. Scranton falls to 4-11-3 and 3-3.

Jeff Kocher (So./Churchville, Md.; C. Milton Wright) scored the game-winning goal for the Warriors, putting away a rebound off a shot by Andrew Rampulla (So./Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Cumberland Valley) in the 85^th minute. Royal goalkeeper David Keib (Fr./Clarks Summit, Pa.; Scranton Prep) made a strong save on the initial shot but was unable to control the ball before Kocher drilled it into the back of the net.

Scranton controlled the action early in the contest gaining seven corner-kicks and taking 11 shots in the first half. Jason Fesler (Jr./Carlisle, Pa.; Cumberland Valley), however, was huge in goal for the Warriors making four saves in the initial period.

Lycoming had multiple scoring opportunities early in the second half, but this time it was the Royals and Keib who weathered the storm.

Scranton seemed to gain momentum as the game wore on, but again Fesler came up with big saves to keep the game scoreless. The Royals’ best scoring chance came with about 15 minutes to play as Aaron Landon (Jr./Jersey Shore, Pa.; Jersey Shore) got behind the Warrior defense and found himself one-on-one with Fesler just to the left of the goal. As Fesler came out to cut down the angle, Landon was able to push the ball to his right, leaving an empty net in front of him. Kory Wertz (Sr./Middletown, Pa.; Middletown), however, came sliding in to deflect the shot just before it crossed the goal line. Ndeh Tawah (Sr./Bowie, Md.; Bowie) gathered in the rebound but his shot went over the crossbar to end the threat. Ten minutes later Kocher broke the scoreless tie.

Fesler made a total of eight saves in net for Lycoming, while recording his second and the team’s third consecutive shutout. Fesler has now played 259 minutes in goal without allowing a score. Keib made six saves in net for Scranton.

The Warriors play again on Saturday, November 1, when they host FDU-Florham for another important conference match. Kickoff is set for noon.  

Lycoming 1, Scranton 0
                        1      2        Final
Scranton           0      0        0
Lycoming          0      1        1

Scoring Summary:
LC – Jeff Kocher (Andrew Rampulla); 85^th min.  

Shots: LC-19, US-24
Corners: LC-10, US-8
Saves: LC-9, US-6