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By JOHN ERZAR; Times Leader Sports Writer
Wednesday, October 19, 1994     Page: 1B

WYOMING — The showdown never really materialized Tuesday, but Wyoming
Seminary didn’t seem to mind.
   
Instead, Seminary took control early and didn’t let up, defeating
Lake-Lehman 5-0 in a battle of first-place teams in Division 1-A of the
Wyoming Valley Conference soccer league.
    “We didn’t last long at number one,” said Lehman coach Mark Stroney.
“Nobody has.”
   
All six Division 1-A teams have been in first place and last place at some
point this season. But going into the final two games of the season, only four
teams remain in the hunt for the divisional title and two WVC playoff spots.
   
Seminary and Wyoming Valley West are tied for first place with 9-4-1
records. Lehman (8-5-1) is third while fourth-place Abington Heights (8-6) has
an outside shot at the title.
   
“We’re only concerned about our games,” Seminary coach Tom Rokita said. “We
have no control on what else happens.”
   
Just about every Seminary player had a say in Tuesday’s win. The offense
was steady, the defense was strong, and keepers Rob Pomento and Kirk Kranson
combined for the team’s fourth shutout.
   
“We knew it was going to be a tough game because it was for first place,”
said Seminary senior forward Ben Brown. “Our coach told us to go out and get
the first goal. If you don’t, then it’s tough to get the momentum.
   
“After we got that first goal, we didn’t let down.”
   
Brown scored two goals in the first quarter as Seminary gained the momentum
and control of the play. He headed in a Doug Bruno pass at 4:24, then struck
again at 11:57 as the Blue Knights demonstrated some fine teamwork.
   
Nick Sabatini started the second scoring play, working down the left
sideline before grounding a short pass to Pat Costello about 20 feet down
field. Costello sent a perfect cross to the far post, and Brown raced in with
another header.
   
“Their two goals were nice, but unfortunately our marking broke down,”
Stroney said. “We’re just not a team to score many goals.”
   
The way the Seminary defense was playing, Brown’s two goals appeared to be
enough. Sweeper Mark Samii and outside fullbacks Mike Scott and Matt Fremont
prevented the Lehman offense from getting any serious threats. Doug Bruno
moved from midfield to stopper, helping out throughout the game.
   
“We kept on our marks all day,” said Samii, who consistently cleared Lehman
crosses. “Everyone did a great job. They were switching around a lot, but we
didn’t give them a chance to do much.”
   
Seminary suffered one defensive breakdown in the first half, but Samii
stopped the threat. Lehman’s Jeremy Fleeger sent Dan Dulebohn down the right
sideline, but Samii stopped him before he could cross the ball to open
teammates in the center of the penalty area.
   
“We’ve been working hard defensively, especially after that Valley West
game when we gave up three goals in 10 minutes,” said Rokita, whose team held
off the Spartans 4-3. “We played 70 good minutes against Valley West. We were
determined to come out today and play 80 minutes of good defense.”
   
Any thoughts of a Lehman comeback were crushed by 6:30 of the third
quarter. Dave Wideman added Seminary’s third goal at 4:23 while Pat Costello
headed in the team’s fourth score at 6:30.
   
Corey Rudinski completed Seminary’s scoring with his first goal of the
season at 15:11 of the fourth quarter. Ryan Kranson assisted.
   
Lake-Lehman 0 0 0 0 –0
   
Wyoming Seminary 2 0 2 1 –5
   
First: 1. WS, Ben Brown (Doug Bruno), 4:24; 2. WS, Ben Brown (Pat
Costello), 11:57. Second: None. Third: 1. WS, Dave Wide