Crusaders Roar Back In Second Half, Reach 3a Semis

By KURT KNAPEK [email protected]
Saturday, October 27, 2001 Page: 5B

WILKES-BARRE – No matter how insurmountable they appear to be, deficits don’t
scare the Coughlin boys soccer team.

The Crusaders, who started the season 1-3, rallied from a two-goal
disadvantage at halftime to defeat Delaware Valley 3-2 Friday in the
quarterfinals of the District 2 Class 3A playoffs at “The Bog.”
“The bottom line was heart,” said Coughlin freshman Steve Ference, who
scored a pair of goals. “We had it. That’s what got us through this.”

Coughlin will take a 13-game unbeaten streak into Tuesday’s semifinals
against Wyoming Valley West (15-2-1) at 2:30 p.m. at King’s College’s Betzler
Fields. Coughlin defeated WVW 2-1 on Tuesday and the teams tied 3-3 on Sept.


Ference’s second goal was the game-winner with 13:01 remaining in
regulation. His goal was a rare one in the sport – directly into the net from
his corner kick.

“After the first two corner kicks from over there I said, `I can do this,’
” Ference said. “I saw where the goalie was on the first one when I kicked
it past the far post. I felt confident.”

Delaware Valley took advantage of a strong wind at its back in the first
half. The Warriors got on the board 18 seconds into the game when Joe Luna
scored off an assist from Mike Bray. Brian Zalasky made it 2-0 just 12:48 in.
It was nearly 3-0, but a shot from Mike McCabe slammed off the post with 10:30
left in the first half.

“What’s the word? Auspicious?” said Coughlin coach Barry Trievel, whose
team was ousted from the playoffs in the first round the last two seasons.
“It was a very scary start. But it was all with the wind.”

With the wind to their backs in the second half, the Crusaders picked up
their play. Ference tapped in a crossing pass from Steve Uhas to cut the lead
to 2-1 with 34:26 left.

Uhas tied the game at 2 when he drilled a low 20-yard shot past Delaware
Valley goalkeeper Shaun Mullins with 18:41 remaining.

“It was bang, bang,” Ference said. “I was lucky to get a foot on the
ball.”

Ference then gave Coughlin its first lead on the corner kick goal, the
first time he has scored in such a way at the high school level.

“Ference has excellent touch on the ball,” Trievel said. “He has matured
tremendously as the season has progressed. His play has mirrored our
success.”



Dallas 7, Valley View 0

DALLAS – Ricky Branco scored three goals and Ryan Love added two more to
lead Dallas to a win in the District 2 Class 2A quarterfinals.

Branco opened the scoring for the Mountaineers at the three minute mark off
a pass from Love. Love followed with an unassisted goal four minutes later.

Eric Baltimore and Don Murray also added goals for Dallas.

Dallas will face Berwick at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Wilkes University’s Ralston
Field.

Wyoming Seminary 6, Elk Lake 0



KINGSTON – Gareth Phillips scored just four minutes into the contest and
added a second goal to help Seminary coast past Elk Lake in District 2 Class A
playoff action.

Rich Eckman, Brian Dempsey, James Hamill and Jon Dodge also scored for
Seminary.

Wyoming Seminary advances to the semifinals where it will meet Seton
Catholic.

Lake-Lehman 3, Honesdale 1



LEHMAN TWP. – Nathan Carsman scored two goals and David Walters added
another as Lake-Lehman defeated Honesdale in a Class 2A game.

Lehman (15-4) will play at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Wilkes University against
Nanticoke Area. Honesdale ended its season at 9-8.

Walters, who also had two assists, gave the Black Knights a 1-0 lead in the

allowing the lead to hold up at halftime.

Carsman scored early in the second half, but Honesdale’s Mark Lawrence cut
the deficit to 2-1 a minute later. Carsman added his second goal in the 51st
minute.

Nanticoke 1, Meyers 0



NANTICOKE – Tim Butzek scored the game’s only goal on a direct kick from 25
yards out. The win allows Nanticoke Area to advance to play Lake-Lehman at


Seton Catholic 1, Bishop Hannan 0



PITTSTON – Seton Catholic’s Ryan O’Haire scored the game’s lone goal midway
through the second period off an assist from Mike Sowinski.

Seton Catholic advances to face Wyoming Seminary in the District 2 Class A
semifinals.

Berwick 3, Scranton Prep 1



BERWICK – Brandon Heller scored three goals, all in the second half, to
lead the Bulldogs to a victory over Scranton Prep in the District 2 Class 2A
quarterfinals. Berwick will play Dallas in a semifinal at 2:30 p.m. Monday at
Wilkes University’s Ralston Field.

North Pocono 3, Williamsport 1



MOSCOW – The Millionaires outshot the Trojans, 19-7, but North Pocono
prevailed to advance to the semifinals of the District 2 Class 3A tournament.
North Pocono will play at 2:30 p.m. Monday at King’s College’s Betzler Fields.
Tony Azevedo scored a goal and added an assist and Jared Maus had two assists
for the Trojans Friday.

District 2 Volleyball Playoffs

District 2 Volleyball District tournament play begins on Monday. Here’s a
list of first-round matchups.

Class A – Monday, Oct. 29 at Blue Ridge High School. At 5:30 p.m., No. 1
Blue Ridge (14-0) vs. No. 4 Forest City (6-8). At 7 p.m. No. 2 Mountain View
(10-4) vs. No. 3 Susquehanna (7-7). Winners will meet at 8:30 p.m. for the
district championship.

Class 3A – Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Abington Heights High School. At 5:30 p.m.,
No. 1 Abington Heights (13-4) vs. No. 4 Delaware Valley (9-5). At 7 p.m., No.

at 8:30 p.m. for the district championship.

Class 2A – Wednesday, Oct. 31 at Bishop Hoban High School. At 5:30 p.m.,
No. 1 Bishop Hoban (17-0) vs. No. 4 Crestwood (12-5). At 7 p.m., No. 2
Nanticoke Area (16-1) vs. No. 3 Meyers (13-4). Winners will meet at 8:30 p.m.
for the district championship.

Cost to attend is $5 for adults and $3 for students.