The Voice

Issue date: 9/26/02 Section: sports

Bloomsburg’s Jason Seager and West Chester’s Steven Graham (7) bump heads as an official tries to step in the middle during Wednesday’s game. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

Karl Lohninger (7) and Brent Leibelsperger (20) crash the net in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against the Golden Rams. Lohninger scored for BU.

Following a very physical, 1-1 draw with Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent West Chester University yesterday afternoon, the nationally ranked men's varsity soccer team remains undefeated, improving their flawless record to 8-0-1 (1-0-1 PSAC).

Bloomsburg and the Golden Rams started the match quite sluggish and each team failed to light up the scoreboard after the first half of play.

"We did not play well at all in the first half," Bloomsburg coach Paul Payne said. "We played a lot better come the second half of play."

Payne's observation was not an understatement.

Ten minutes into the second half, junior midfielder Mike Ross jolted by two defenders on the left side of the field and sent a brilliant, curving cross in front of the net that Karl Lohninger headed past the helpless West Chester keeper, Chad Byers, to put the Huskies ahead, 1-0.

"They gave me some time, Karl made a really nice run and the ball went in," Ross said.

"I was really pumped for this game," Lohninger said. "Both teams played hard and physical, but that is expected in a PSAC game."

The remainder of the second half was extremely physical. The referee handed out four yellow cards and did not seem to have control of the match.

"He was letting them play," West Chester coach Kendall Walkes said. "The refereeing played a role in the game, but not in the goals that were scored."

Walkes added that the referee should have issued more cards for obscene language, not only for Bloomsburg, but for his team as well.

At about the 37-minute mark of the second half, junior Ryan Sekkes of West Chester found teammate Eric Myers wide open on a break away, lofting the ball over the Bloomsburg defense onto his teammates' foot. Myers struck the ball past keeper Kevin Wright to tie the score. At the end of regulation time, the score was tied 1-1.

The overtime periods featured constant back-and-forth battles, but both teams failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities, leaving both teams forced to settle for a tie.

"I give a lot of credit to Paul and his team," coach Walkes said. "He has made believers out of his men. They played hard and had a lot of heart."

This past Saturday, the Huskies faced Bridgeport, Conn. and completely dominated the game, winning 2-0. Adam Clay and Mike Ross each scored goals. Credit keeper Dustin Henry with the shutout.

On Sunday, the Huskies smashed Mercy College, 4-2. Greg Pompei, Venus Cherry, Lohninger and Derek Smith all scored. Henry allowed only two goals and played a solid game.

The Huskies, ranked 15th in the National Division-II rankings, will face Dowling College this Sunday on upper campus. According to Coach Payne, this could be the toughest match of the season for the Huskies.

Two seasons ago, the Huskies shocked Dowling in double overtime, 2-1. Dowling was ranked No. 2 in the nation at the time.

Brett Hetherington scored the winning goal at 8 minutes, 29 seconds of the second overtime.

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