ESU-West Chester Men's Soccer

MSOC10-30-01

EAST STROUDSBURG - Four-time defending champion East Stroudsburg University is going back to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference men's soccer championship game again.

The Warriors easily advanced to the conference finals by downing West Chester, 4-1, Wednesday in a semi-final contest at Eiler-Martin Stadium.

They will play at California, Pa. Saturday at 1 p.m. for the championship. ESU has won the PSAC title 14 times overall and eight of the last nine years.

Coach Jerry Sheska's team took care of business quickly in the semi-finals, taking the lead in the first 15 minutes and streaking to a 3-0 halftime advantage.

Joey Piscopo scored the first goal at 14:57, slipping in a shot from eight yards out on the left side after a cross from Ahmet Kose.

Kamar Samuels made it, 2-0, almost by himself after 20:37 as he dribbled 30 yards up the field and laced a bullet into the top of the nets from 15 yards out.

Less than seven minutes passed and Tom Mustac, the team's leading scorer, added a third goal at 27:30. He took a cross from Mike Lotocki and touched in a ground shot from close range. It was his 13th goal of the season.

The last two goals came within two minutes of each near the end of the game. First, West Chester got an own goal at 86:53 as a corner kick deflected off a defender into the nets. With 1:51 remaining, Brad Konawalik closed the scoring with a rocket from 15 yards out.

Jason Land posted the shutout, making three saves over 80 minutes. He has not allowed in four straight PSAC tournaments. Tim Wassell finished up the last 10 minutes.

The win raised the Warriors' record to 15-4-1 and solidified their hold on the second place in the NCAA Division II regional rankings. The top teams will make the NCAA Division II tournament which will start the weekend of Nov. 10-11.

West Chester finished its season with a 9-10 record. The Rams had beaten ESU, 2-1, in a regular-season game in mid-September.

West Chester 0-1 1

East Stroudsburg 3-1 4

ESU - Joey Piscopo (Ahmet Kose), 14:57

ESU - Kamar Samuels (unassisted), 20:37

ESU - Tom Mustac (Mike Lotocki), 27:30

WC - Own Goal, 86:53

ESU - Brad Konawalik (unassisted), 88:09

Shots: ESU 12, WC 6; Corner Kicks: ESU 8, WC 9; Goalie Saves: ESU - Jason Land (80 minutes) 3, Tim Wassell (10 minutes) 0; WC - Sean Gablehouse 5

Records: ESU 15-4-1, WC 9-10

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