ESU-LOCK HAVEN PSAC SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
EAST STROUDSBURG – Mike Feniger scored the winning goal with 5:05 left in a sudden-death fourth overtime period to give East Stroudsburg University a 1-0 victory over Lock Haven for its fourth straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference men’s soccer championship.
It was the tenth PSAC title for the Warriors, who won the first crown in 1969. Lock Haven has taken 14 titles, but has lost in the finals to ESU the last four years.
Feniger, named the game’s outstanding player, got his foot on a loose ball right in the goal-mouth and pushed it across the line from six yards out. It was his 23 goal of the season which improves his own school season records.
The play had started on a throw0in by Matt Eisenhard from the left sidelines about 10 yards out. He threw the ball to Jason Lindsay just outside the box on the left and Lindsay crossed it into the middle.
The ball bounced around, deflecting off players as the Lock Haven defense failed to clear it. Two ESU players had a chance at a shot, but couldn’t get their foot on the ball before Feniger delivered the game-winner.
The Warriors has an advantage in both shots, 25-8, and in corner kicks, 6-3. Both goalies – ESU’s Jason Petronis and Lock Haven’s Dave Hartlaub made six saves.
The Bald Eagles played the overtime without their top scorer Steve Slack, who suffered a leg injury midway through the second half and was sidelined the rest of the way.
The win raised ESU’s recored to 16-3-1 and improved the team’s chances of making the NCAA Division II Soccer Tournament which will begin Nov. 11-12. The Warriors were ranked 15th in last week’s NCAA Division II national poll.
Lock Haven, which was ranked 11th in the nation last week, dropped to 12-4-2. Both teams have regular-season games remaining next Saturday – ESU at LUI-Southampton and Lock Haven at Gannon.
The Bald Eagles had beaten ESU, 1-0, during the regular season, one of only two shutouts defeats suffered by the Warriors. Feniger has been held scoreless in only three games this season.
Lock Haven (12-4-2) 0-0-0-0-0-0 0
East Stroudsburg (16-3-1) 0-0-0-0-0-1 1
Goal: ESU – Mike Feniger (unassisted), 144:55
Shots: LHU 8, ESU 25
Corner Kicks: LHU 3, ESU 6
Goalie Saves: LHU – Dave Hartlaub 6, ESU – Jason Petronis