Freshman Doug Moran played a strong game for the Haven today vs. ESU

EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa.- The Lock Haven University men’s soccer program (13-7) was in search of their 21st Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship, but they fell short today against East Stroudsburg University (19-2-1) for the second straight season 1-0 in double overtime in a contest which they dominated for extended periods of time.

The game started off like a championship match should, hard and fast. Lock Haven had the earliest of the chances, when Paul Huckett (Grimsby, England/Grimsby College) lined a shot off the post from 10 yards out, and the rebound was gobbled up by the man of the match and tournament Most Outstanding Player sophomore, Larry Pokrywa, collected the rebound opportunity.

Only a few minutes later, Huckett almost connected once again as he put another header on goal that was turned away by Pokrywa. Shortly later, sophomore Tommy Ehrlich (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) had header that flew right over the cross-bar.

“I really thought I got a hold of that one, but it just squeaked over the cross-bar,” said Ehrlich of one of his early opportunities.

East Stroudsburg had their best opportunity of half with 8 minutes left as a Roshane Ellison header was cleared away by sophomore defender Andrew Clemens (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Cliff).

Lock Haven would end the half with a series of the best opportunities of the game, as Phil Liversedge (Darlington, England/ Texas A&M) took a scissor-kick shot that was punched over the cross-bar by Pokrywa, in what turned out to be the save of the game, and the best of the opportunities late in the half.

In the second half, the Bald Eagles continued to ride the momentum that they worked so hard to earn in the first half.

It started off with Ehrlich narrowly missing two quality chances early on in the half, as a deflected corner kick was collected by the sophomore, and his shot was blocked by Jeff Herber of ESU.

Shortly later, Ehrlich had another opportunity as his next shot was deflected off the sprawling Pokrywa for yet another outstanding save.

After the near miss, it was East Stroudsburg’s turn as in the 70th minute Toric Robinson picked up a loose ball, and blasted a low, line-drive shot that went just wide of the net.

Less than four minutes later, senior Dennis Maldanado broke in inside the Lock Haven six yard box, but Lock haven goalkeeper Chad Feerrar (Lock Haven, pa./Central Mountain) turned away Maldanado’s shot with a beautiful kick save, resulting in a corner kick.

Both sides lacked chances the rest of the half until Liversedge almost put Lock Haven on top with another shot that was turned away by Pokrywa once again, sending the PSAC Championship into double overtime for the second straight season.

“In regulation, Pokrywa saved at least two goals for them. He was simply brilliant,” said Lock Haven head coach Doug Moore. “He really kept them in the game.”

In overtime, things started to sway ESU’s way, as right off the bat Maldanado had another opportunity to end the contest only 30 seconds into the first overtime, but his strike sailed high.

Only five minutes later, Kevin Holmes, who ended last year’s contest with a goal, nearly did it again, but was turned away by Feerrar.

East Stroudsburg would eventually capitalize on their chances in the overtime period, as in the 103rd minute Jason Rudder sent a cross on the right wing into the near post that was picked up by Roshane Ellison. Ellison fired a shot, and slipped it by both the diving Clemens and Feerrar, giving ESU their second-straight PSAC championship.

“I don’t know whether I should be proud or sad, I felt we did a lot of things right, but we just didn’t capitalize when we should have,” said Moore of his team’s efforts. “Now we’ll have to wait and see about regional’s. Hopefully things go out way.”

Lock Haven was ranked 5th in the Northeast Region entering today’s contest. The teams ranked ahead of Lock Haven are the University of Bridgeport, C.W. Post University, ESU, and Dowling College.

Regional tournament seeds will be announced on Monday, November 5th by the NCSAA.

As always, you can check back to HavenSports.com for all your Lock Haven University sports action.

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