MSOC11-7

ESU-Lock Haven Soccer/PSAC Championship

East Stroudsburg, Pa. - East Stroudsburg University won its third straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference men's soccer title and seventh in the last eight years by beating Lock Haven, 3-0, in the championship game Sunday.

It was the 13th straight win for the Warriors and raised the team's record to 18-2, which tied the school single-season victory record. The 1994 team finished 18-3.

The ESU booters, 15th in the latest NCAA Division II national poll and second in the Northeast region, are expected to gain a berth in the NCAA Division II Soccer Tournament which begins Saturday.

Their likely first-round opponent will be LIU-Southampton, third in the nation and first in the region. Two teams are selected for the NCAA tourney from eight regions for a field of 16 teams.

It was the third straight shutout and ninth of the season for the ESU team and sweeper back Sean Stewart, a key to the defense, was named the game's most valuable player. Goalie Jason Land made four saves in posting his fifth individual shutout.

The Warriors didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard as in the fourth minute, Channing Swears rifled a shot from 18 yards which tipped off goalie Manola Dorado's hand off the top goalpost into the nets. Isaac Fournier had an assist on the play.

High scorer Pat Stanco made it, 2-0, in the 32nd minute on a breakaway off a pass from Kurt Nusshag. It was Stanco's 20th goal of the season.

Ahmet Kose added an insurance goal, his tenth, with 18 minutes remaining on a ground shot from 15 yards which found the inside left post. He had taken a pass from Karl Nusshag.

The Warriors dominated the game with a 16-4 edge in shots. Dorado made seven saves.

The PSAC title was the 13th for the ESU team and ninth under Coach Jerry Sheska, who has guided the Warriors to a 260-103-16 record over 18 seasons.

Lock Haven is still the leader with 15 conference championships, but the Bald Eagles won only three times in the 1990s compared to ESU's seven titles.

The Bald Eagles finished the season with a 12-7-1 record. ESU had won a regular-season meeting between the two teams, 4-1.

Lock Haven 0-0 0

East Stroudsburg 2-1 3

ESU - Channing Swears (Isaac Fournier), 3:33

ESU - Pat Stanco (Kurt Nusshag), 31:31

ESU - Ahmet Kose (Karl Nusshag), 71:34

Shots: ESU 16, LH 4; Corner Kicks: ESU 10, LH 4; Goalie Saves: ESU - Jason Land 4, LH - Manolo Dorado 7

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