Meideros Sports Beat 12 by The Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company

User: jsoprano Time: 09-08-2012 23:01 Product: Times_Leader PubDate: 09-09-2012 Zone: Main Edition: Main_Run PageName: sports_f PageNo: 1 C

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THE TIMES LEADER

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

H.S. FIELD HOCKEY

P E N N S TAT E F O O T B A L L

Ficken’s nightmare

Four missed FGs, blocked extra point doom Lions

Comets’ Gemski reaches No. 600

Long-time Crestwood coach records milestone victory with a pair of wins at the Selinsgrove Tournament.

By JOHN MEDEIROS jmedeiros@timesleader.com

AP PHOTOS

Penn State linebacker Gerald Hodges (6) reacts to a missed Penn State field goal in the final seconds of a 17-16 loss to Virginia on Saturday in Charlottesville, Va.

PSU’s chance to win sails wide

By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com

VIRGINIA

PENN STATE

the field for four quarters but scored in the final 90 seconds for a 17-16 win. Matt McGloin, returning from a mid-game elbow injury, led the Lions down the field in the two-minute offense to give his team a shot to win with one second left on the clock, but a fifth miss on a kicking play on the afternoon -- this one from 42 yards out -- sunk the team. “It’s never always about the kicker,” O’Brien said. “The kicker is always the one to get blamed, but it’s the whole operation -- the snap, the hold, the kick. We have to take a look at that. There’s no substitute for hard work. “We’ll have to go back as a staff and talk about it, but Sam is our kicker.” With Anthony Fera having transferred to Tex- Sam Ficken walks off the field after as following the NCAA sanctions on the pro- missing a field goal in the final

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Of course it was raining. Clouds have hung over Penn State for months. That the skies opened up before their final drive was fitting. Sam Ficken had already missed three field goals. Had an extra point blocked. And now there was rain. And fans screaming at him as loud as they could still manage, chanting his uniform number -- “Nine-ty-Sev-en!” -- in their best sing-song tone. The noise intensified. The snap was low. The kick hooked wide left. Penn State fell to 0-2. Not a fourth quarter rally nor four forced turnovers was enough to get Bill O’Brien his first win. Virginia slipped and stumbled around See PSU, Page 6C

seconds of the team’s 17-16 loss to Virginia.

SELINSGROVE – The Crestwood team gathered together again, well after their final game at the Selinsgrove Tournament, for a commemorative photo. They had balloons spelling out “600” in gold. They had a poster. They all had smiles. Then the voice of one of the Comets rang out above the commotion: “What about Mrs. G?” Coach Elvetta Gemski walked over to the gathering and took her place with her team. With a 7-0 victory over Mifflin County on Saturday, she became the third high school field “This is a hockey coach in state history – and the sixth wonderful in the nation – to record opportuni600 wins in a career. “This is a wonderful ty to stop opportunity to stop and and reflect reflect on all the supon all the port and all the wonderful people who have support been a major part of my and all the life.” Gemski said. “I love coming back each wonderful year (which she’s done people each year since 1976) and putting a team to- who have gether. I respect what been a these players do and all the work they put in. major part And we have some fun of my along the way.” Despite the rain, life.” heavy at times … in- Elvetta Gemski Crestwood cluding during the oncoach field celebration after the milestone, Gemski clutched a bouquet of flowers given to her by her team. Ten minutes after the game, then 20, she still held the gift. The milestone meant a lot to her. The gift from her team seemed to mean even more. • FAMILY FIRST: When you look at a Crestwood roster, there’s always a few See GEMSKI, Page 9C

L O C A L C O L L E G E F O O TA L L

Just too much Pride for Monarchs to handle

By DAVE ROSENGRANT drosengrant@timesleader.com

Believing is the first step for optimistic Monarchs

it is ranked and that the young WIDENER Monarchs have a little further to go. The pride scored 41 unanKING’S swered points and took advantage of some key Monarchs’ miscues in a 41-6 win at McCarthy Stadium. “Our kids played really well CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK/FOR THE TIMES LEADER and they were executing early on,” King’s coach Jeff Knarr said. King’s wide receiver Dan Kempa pulls in a pass for a first down

WILKES-BARRE TWP. – From the beginning of Saturday’s game, it was evident that King’s wasn’t going to get pushed around by Widener like it was last time. The Monarchs came out and dominated the Pride for the first 15 minutes of the MAC opener for both teams and had the 25thranked team in the country, according to d3football.com, trailing by six points. But then Widener showed why See MONARCHS, Page 6C

against Widener early in the game Saturday at McCarthy Stadium.

Two much bigger defenders were waiting for Tyler Hartranft at the end of his 17-yard quarterback scramble, but he put his head down and took the punishing hit. Because he believed it would help King’s College win the game. Kris Matthews spent a whole afternoon in the secondary chasing hard after supremely talented and more athletic

PAUL SOKOLOSKI OPINION athletes. Because he also had faith it would pay off in victory. Those types of efforts didn’t help the lowly King’s College football team upset a powerful Widener team ranked No. 25 in the nation by d3football.com. But someday soon, such conviction will result in sucSee BELIEVE, Page 6C

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THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 PAGE 9C

Great opportunity in planned rides

RUNNING

JASON RIEDMILLER / FOR THE TIMES LEADER

Women’s winner Nadalie Solomon of Mountain Top reached the finish line in 20:36 on Saturday.

JASON RIEDMILLER / FOR THE TIMES LEADER

Jake Shoemaker of Philadelphia was the overall winner, breaking the tape in 17:22 on Saturday.

Cure event won by Philadelphian By ROBERT MINER For The Times Leader

SCRANTON –Jake Shoemaker and Nadalie Solomon led a field of about 550 runners, capturing overall male and female honors in the Race for the Cure 5K Run on Saturday at Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton. Shoemaker, 27, of Philadelphia, broke the tape in 17 minutes, 22 seconds. He outran second-place finisher, Mark Arzie, 16, of Scott Township, by 40 seconds. “Everyone started fast,” said Shoemaker, who ran track and cross country in high school, but not at the college level. “I just tried to keep an even pace. I took control at around mile 1. That’s when I pulled in front. After that, I just tried to settle into a good rhythm. I just tried to keep an even pace and save energy for the hill at Cooper’s (bar and restaurant).” The Philadelphian was given a heads up about the hill at Cooper’s by his sister-in-law, Jen Kincel, who lives in Olyphant.

“Once I tackled the hill, I never looked back, so I wasn’t sure whether anyone was coming up on me or not,” Shoemaker said. “But, I was OK and held on for the win.” Solomon, 32, of Mountain Top, won the female division in 20:36. She outraced second-place finisher, Abbie Kearns, 21, of Scranton and a student at the University of Scranton, by 54 seconds. “It went well,” said Solomon. “I broke my arm about five weeks ago and just recently had my cast removed. So my training, of late, has been kind of iffy. But I was OK. It was pretty congested over the first mile. I took control after the first mile – I broke away. After that, I just started picking off guys who were running ahead of me en route to the finish.” John Major, 49, of Scranton, won the First Male Cancer Survivor to Finish the Run award, clocking in at 26:26. And Karen Gannon, 44, of Honesdale, won the First Female Cancer Survivor to Finish the Run award with a 26:35-time.

Jim Boettger, 62, of Duryea received the overall male award in the 5K walk, finishing in 37:05. Marisa Naughton, 45, of Scranton, won top female honors in the walk, clocking in at 39:11. Amanda Jarrow, 25, of Jessup, was the first female cancer survivor to finish, clocking in at 38:56. This year’s race, according to Dolly Woody, executive director of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Northeastern Pennsylvania, drew around 6,500 (about 550 runners and the rest walkers) participants and raised around $200,000, between sponsors and participants. “Last year, between the race and other events, we were able to fund around $270,000 for education, screening and treatment grants to non-profit organizations throughout 16 counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Woody. “And it looks like we’re going to reach our goal of $275,000 for this year’s race.” Woody said, “It’s all about the hope – coming together. The energy and spirit of the day is out-

standing. This race is the largest 5K cause-related event in northeastern Pennsylvania. And we’re close to our goal.” Seventy-five percent of the money from the event stays in northeastern Pennsylvania. The other 25 percent go for breast cancer research.

Scranton Race for the Cure results 5K Run Overall Male Winner: Jake Shoemaker, 27, Philadelphia, 17:22 Overall Female Winner: Nadalie Solomon, 32, Mountain Top, 20:36 First Male Cancer Survivor to Finish: John Major, 49, Scranton, 26:26 First Female Cancer Survivor to Finish: Karen Gannon, 47, Honesdale, 26:35 5K Walk Overall Male Winner: Jim Boettger, 62, Duryea, 37:05 Overall Female Winner: Marisa Naughton, 45, Scranton, 39:11 First Male Cancer Survivor to Finish: None First Female Cancer Survivor to Finish: Amanda Jarrow, 25, Jessup, 38:56 Field: 550 (run), 5,950 (walk). Starter and timing: Insta Results. Results: Steve Hill. Race director: Michele Tierney. Susan G. Komen Foundation Executive Director for Northeastern Pennsylvania: Dolly Woody. Schedule Sunday, Sept. 16: Scranton Lupus Loop 5K Run/Walk at Nay Aug Park at 11 a.m. Info: 1 (888) 99-LUPUS or Lupus Foundation Pocono/Northeast Branch, 558-2008 or www.lupuspa.org Saturday, Sept. 22: Wyoming Valley Striders End of Summer 10K Run (final leg of Striders Triple Crown) at Kirby Park at 9 a.m. Info: Vince Wojnar, 474-5363. Sunday, Oct. 7: Steamtown Marathon, starting at Forest City Regional High School at 8 a.m. and finishing at Courthouse Square, downtown Scranton. Info: 345-3481. Sunday, Oct. 14: Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley’s Benjamin August Memorial 3 Mile Run/Walk at the JCC, S. River Street, Wilkes-Barre at 9 a.m. Info: Bill Buzza, 824-4646.

GEMSKI

The Crestwood Comets gather as a team for a photo with their coach, Elvetta Gemski, third from left, outside Selinsgrove High School to mark the coach’s 600th career victory, a 7-0 win over Mifflin County on Saturday.

Continued from Page 1C

last names that are familiar. An older sister used to be a Comet perhaps. Or, after 37 seasons, a mom used to play for Gemski. “It’s very special … strong words … extremely special,” Gemski said. “It makes you feel wonderful to be around that kind of energy and excitement (from the players). And the parents are a large, crucial part of the journey every year.” “I think it’s tradition, it’s the love of the game,” assistant coach and former standout goalie Lissa Munley said. “For her, winning comes second, everything else comes first.” “Keeping all the girls, not cutting anyone,” said assistant coach Patsy Moratori, another former Comet star. “That’s different from everyone else. They all get a chance. I respect that. “She does say hockey is your main focus during the season. But outside of the season, she wants the girls to play basketball or softball. That’s another thing, too. We don’t do much in the offseason.” • CHANGE IN THE AIR: The days of offsides calls, no selfstarts, shots from outside the circle and limited substitutions are all in the past. Gemski remembers them, but they are all erased from her playbook. “She’s changed with the game,” said Moratori, who played at Crestwood in the 1980s before starring at Connecticut. “Some coaches just want to do it the old school way. She sees what they’re doing in college and elsewhere, and adapts.” “She’s really changing with the times,” said Munley, who played

STAN GEMSKI/SPECIAL TO TIMES LEADER

All-time winninest coaches

W 797 763 665 648 630 600 578 569 567 556

L T 66 56 73 34 69 46 96 34 85 75 120 23 82 42 137 44

Coach Nancy Williams Susan Butz-Stavin Angela Tammaro Linda Kreiser Cheryl Poore Elvetta Gemski Nancy Cole Karen Klassner Maurene Polley Debby Watson

School Shore Regional Emmaus Greenwich Academy Lower Dauphin Harwich, Monomoy Crestwood Centereach, Ward Melville Wyoming Seminary Villa Maria Villa Duchesne, Barat Academy

Compiled from topofthecircle.com and other sources

collegiately at Iowa. “She’s learning to live in (the players’) world. They dance before a game and that’s OK. That’s something my class didn’t do.” • BY THE NUMBERS: Crestwood has won four state championships and 18 District 2 titles under Gemski. The Comets have had 133 college players, with 39 being named team captains. Twenty Crestwood alums are currently playing collegiately and two more are head coaches. Gemski has a dozen 20-win seasons to her credit (including the last three) and just two losing seasons in her 27 seasons. One was her program’s first season in 1976, when the Comets were 56-2. The other came in 1979, meaning it has been 32 seasons since her last sub-.500 record.

State N.J. Pa. Conn. Pa. Mass. Pa. N.Y. Pa. Pa. Mo.

First year 1970 1976 1963 1977 1969 1976 1970 1972 1968 1973-2005, 2009-

ers knew this win was coming and their first goal for the season was to make it happen. “We definitely want to win it for her,” junior forward Marissa Surdy said Thursday after Crestwood beat Dallas. “We really want to get it for her Saturday. It would mean a lot to us, too.” For Gemski, she can look back at a program born as a club team in 1973 and is now a national powerhouse 600 wins later. “It’s just a matter of a love for a sport,” Gemski said. “And I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by so much support at the beginning of it all. So many embraced the program in the early stages and now it is just ongoing.”

• ADMIRED BY ALL: Gemski, a Hall of Famer, is still a legend at her alma mater. “She’s a great supporter of Temple,” head coach Amanda Janney said last month. “Coach Gemski and her husband come down when they can. They love to talk Temple football and field hockey. Six hundred wins is a Crestwood 1, Selinsgrove 0 great accomplishment.” Crestwood .................................................... 0 1 — 1 It wasn’t that long ago that the Selinsgrove .................................................. 0 0 — 0 half: 1. CRE, Ashleigh Thomas (HanComets coach was earning trib- nahSecond Ackers), 12:27. Shots: CRE 10, SEL 1; Saves: CRE 1 (Dallas utes for half that many wins. Kendra), SEL 9 (Madeline Troppe); Corners: CRE “People don’t understand how 7, SEL 6. difficult it is to start up and maintain a program at such a high lev- Crestwood 7, Mifflin Co. 0 .................................................... 4 3 — 7 el,” Berwick football coach Ge- Crestwood Mifflin Co....................................................... 0 0 — 0 half: 1. CRE, Ashleigh Thomas (Morgan orge Curry said of Gemski in Kile),First 28:50; 2. CRE, Marissa Surdy, 18:41; 3. CRE, 1997, when both coaches reached Surdy (Maury Cronauer), 15:15; 4. CRE, Hannah Ackers (Chandler Ackers), 9:19. 300 wins. “Anyone who can do Second half: 5. CRE, Sarah Wodarczyk (H. 27:04; 6. CRE, Kile, 9:51; 7. CRE, Kara Jarthat is doing something truly out- Ackers), miolowski (Wodarczyk), 4:50. Shots: CRE 15, MIF 9; Saves: CRE 7 (Dallas standing.” Kendra), MIF 4 (Jordan Myers); Corners: CRE 6, • WHAT IT MEANS: The play- MIF 7.

Thanks to high school football keeping me extra busy at work and the spotty weather we’ve had the last few weeks, I’ve hardly had a chance to get on my bike at all. But the good people at the Wilkes-Barre YMCA and Luzerne County Bikes and Walks may just have the answer for me. The two are combining for ‘Y Cycle Sundays,’ a series of four morning rides to areas of interest in the Wyoming Valley and Hazleton. “We do Y Walk Wednesdays to increase people’s physical activity and so people have fun and get used to walking around downtown,” said Michelle Schasberger, of the Wilkes-Barre YMCA and Luzerne County Bikes and Walks. The bike rides seemed like a logical extension of the walks, according to Schasberger. Today’s ride will leave the parking lot across from the YMCA on Northampton Street in Wilkes-Barre at 9:30 a.m. It will take River Street and the levee system to Barney Farms and the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority in Hanover Township. Once at the WVSA, an official will give a brief talk about the Authority and what it does for the Wyoming Valley. (Here’s a hint: it’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it.) The total trip should be about four miles. A good distance for someone just starting out. “It’s (a good distance) for a beginner interested riding in a group,” Schasberger said. “There really aren’t that many group rides for beginners. “Most of them start at 25 miles and that can be a little daunting.” Schasberger added that the rides are great opportunties for families to get out together. OK, I’m certainly not a beginner, but I did say I haven’t ridden that much lately. The rides will continue through September, ending with a ride in the Hazleton area on Oct. 3. Survey underway In addition to planning rides, Luzerne County Bikes and Walks is also busy tracking pedestrians and cyclists in downtown Wilkes-Barre. With the help of students from King’s College and Wilkes University, the group was counting the number of walkers and riders at several points downtown today. The process will continue throughout the week. They take their counts in the morning, at lunch time

JOE SOPRANO CYCLING SCENE

Y Ride Sundays Schedule • Today, River Street and Levee Trail to Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority and Barney Farms • Sept. 16, Levee Trail to Kmart in Edwardsville • Sept. 23, Levee Trail to Forty Fort Airport • Oct. 3, Hazleton YMCA to Greater Hazleton Rail Trail All rides start at 9:30 a.m. For more information, go to the Luzerne County Bike and Walks website at http://www.golcbw.org.

and early evening. They then use the numbers to look for changes in patterns of use in the area and to compare our area to other parts of the country. According to Schasberger, the aim of the project is to see how people are using the downtown area. One thing they learned, we have a busy downtown. “A lot of people say Downtown Wilkes-Barre is dead,” Schasberger said. “Our downtown is very far from being dead.” This is the third year the group has down the count. Numbers from pervious years are available on the groups website. If you are interested in helping, contact Schasberger at 714-1953. Race results • Richard Meeker’s string of victories finally came to an end. The former Plymouth resident’s streak of 14 victories ended at the USA Cycling’s Masters Road Nationals in Bend, Ore. No shame for Meeker here, though. He finished second in the 50-59 road race Thursday night. • David Novak’s fall season at Lindsey Wilson College has begun. Novak, a sophomore from Tunkhannock, was on his mountain bike at the Red Hawks Romp in Wild Rose, Wisc., earlier this month. He finished 10th in the short track cross country race and 13th in the cross country event. • Luke Lukas, of Courtdale, competed in the Green Mountain Stage Race in Vermont recently. Lukas’ best finish in the four-day event was 56th in the junior division criterium. Joe Soprano writes about cycling for The Times Leader. His Cycling Scene column appears every other Sunday. Reach him at jsoprano@timesleader.com or 570-8297164.

C Y C L I N G : S PA N I S H V U E LTA

Menchov wins 20th leg; Contador set for victory The Associated Press

MADRID — Alberto Contador kept the overall leader’s red jersey and is closing in on his second Spanish Vuelta title after Denis Menchov won Saturday’s punishing 20th stage. Alejandro Valverde and Joaquin Rodriguez, Contador’s closest pursuers in the general classification, finished ahead of the Spanish leader but the difference wasn’t enough to close the gap. Contador finished 4 minutes, 15 seconds behind Menchov to run his overall time to 82:14:52, which was 1:16 quicker than Valverde and 1:37 ahead of Rodriguez before Sunday’s last stage, a largely processional 71mile ride into Madrid. Contador is on the verge of a fifth major victory to go with a

pair of Tour de France titles and the 2008 Giro d’Italia, which he won before his first Vuelta victory later that same year. “Yes, now the Vuelta is practically won,” the Madrid native said. “It has been very difficult and we’ve had to hold our head high and our legs strong.” On the bending climb to the weather station atop the Bola del Mundo, Contador was just in front of Valverde and Rodriguez as the peloton eased from smooth pavement to an uneven surface as throngs of fans choked the road. Rodriguez made a late dash as the riders dug in and the peloton slowed to a crawl at times while navigating the 23 percent angled climb to the finish.

User: rstouch Time: 10-23-2012

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THE TIMES LEADER

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

WORLD SERIES

It will be a showdown of perfect strangers

Unfamiliar foes Detroit and San Francisco will tangle in first postseason meeting.

GAME 1

Detroit Tigers at San Francisco Giants When: 8 p.m. today TV: FOX

By BEN WALKER AP Baseball Writer

SAN FRANCISCO — Jim LeySix years ago, their last Series This time, while once again land and the Detroit Tigers found appearance, they lounged around waiting for the National League out the hard way that rest means for nearly a week before getting opponent to be decided, they rust in the World Series. wiped out by St. Louis. stayed busy by working on bunts,

playing against their instructional league team and letting ace Justin Verlander throw to hitters. “Well, we just tried to come up with something,” Leyland said Tuesday. “It wasn’t like in 2006, where some people would indicate we sat around happy to get there, not doing anything, eating bon-bons.” “That wasn’t the case. We ran into bad weather problems in De-

the Cardinals. “I feel like I haven’t played in over two months when you clinch so quick like this and have to wait for the other team,” Tigers reliever Jose Valverde said. Not quite that long. “What is it, eight months of baseball? What’s five days?” Tigers star Prince Fielder asked.

See SERIES, Page 5B

PSU FOOTBALL

PIAA GOLF

Medico ends up in fifth at states

troit, so we were really handicapped,” the manager said. “So this time we’ve done some things to try to keep us from being idle for four or five days. I definitely think it affected the last World Series.” Verlander will start Game 1 tonight against Barry Zito and the San Francisco Giants, fresh off another stirring comeback and a Game 7 win Monday night over

Get ready for the battle of the banned

Redeemer star has soggy finish in individual competition and eyes team finals today. By By CASEY SNYDER For The Times Leader

YORK — Holy Redeemer’s Mariano Medico was already slated to play with his team in the PIAA State Golf Team Championships that start today after the Royals took home first place in the District 2/4 subregional team tournament. Medico’s seventh-place finish at the Eastern Regionals gave him an opMedico portunity to compete in the individual championships, and while he didn’t perform as well as he thought he could, Medico still relishes the opportunity. “I’m not disappointed (in my performance), because I got here,” Medico said. “I knew, to myself, I could have played a little better.” After shooting a 2-over 73 in the first round of the PIAA State Golf Championships, Medico shot a 6-over 77 to take a cumulative score of 8-over 150 and fifth place in the championships. Medico set himself up nicely in the first round, tying for third place with Leechburg’s Matt BarSee MEDICO, Page 5B

AP PHOTO

Penn State coach Bill O’Brien listens to a question during his weekly news conference Tuesday as the Nittany Lions prepare to host No. 9 Ohio State.

AP PHOTO

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller throws a pass against Purdue during the third quarter of a 29-22 overtime victory over Purdue on Saturday.

O’Brien wants to taste victory over rivals, not birthday cake By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com

The beach.” Holidays and puppies were spared for now. No time for frivolity this week anyhow. Not with Ohio State coming into town for Saturday’s game at Beaver Stadium. Add trying to solve the undefeated Buckeyes to the list. “I can tell you Ohio State is the most talented team we’ve played to this point in

Bill O’Brien sighed at the mention of it. The Penn State coach said he didn’t realize Tuesday was his 43rd birthday until one of his older brothers texted him in the morning. “I’m not a big birthday guy,” O’Brien said at his weekly press conference before rattling off a list of things he doesn’t particularly enjoy. “Birthdays. Weddings. Theme parks. See O’BRIEN, Page 3B

Dangerous QB Miller snaps back into action for Buckeyes By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com

Nittany Lions are making to sure to prepare for the dynamic Miller. As they have throughout Big Ten play, Penn State coaches are turning to Eugene Lewis for help. It’s Lewis who is already simulating the Heisman candidate in practice, drawing on his own experience as a star quarterback at Wyoming Valley West. Indeed, Miller has made college de-

They called it whiplash. A sore neck. Just three hours after Ohio State was bracing for life without its starting quarterback, Braxton Miller was back. No serious injury. Cleared to practice this week and nothing to worry about long-term. And while the Buckeyes are readying both Miller and backup Kenny Guiton for Saturday’s game at Penn State, the See MILLER, Page 3B

DISTRICT 2 CLASS 2A GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY

Wyoming Area’s Serra Degnan, left, congratulates teammate Lexi Coolbaugh after scoring a goal against Dallas in a District 2 Class 2A field hockey quarterfinal game in Dallas Township on Tuesday afternoon.

Wyoming Area wipes away frustration Bree Bednarski’s goal 80 seconds into overtime finally gets Warriors past nemesis Dallas. By JOHN MEDEIROS jmedeiros@timesleader.com

BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

DALLAS -- Wyoming Area remembered the one-sided loss it suffered at Dallas last month. The Warriors remembered their season ending against the Mountaineers last season in the playoffs. And the year before that. Wyoming Area exacted some revenge

Tuesday, as freshman Bree Bednarski scored WYOMING 80 seconds into overAREA time to give the Warriors a 4-3 upset of Dallas in a District 2 Class 2A field hockey quarterDALLAS final. “It feels so good,” Warriors senior Lexi Coolbaugh said. “We’ve lost to them the last five times we played them. We lost to them last year in the playoffs. And Serra (Degnan) got carded last year. It’s good to finally get them back.” The Warriors (7-8), the No. 5 seed, will play No. 1 seed Crestwood on Thurs-

INSIDE: More District 2 field hockey, 4B

day with a state tournament berth on the line. Fourth-seeded Dallas sees its season end with a 12-5 mark. Wyoming Area overcame plenty of obstacles on its way to victory. The Warriors were shorthanded for five minutes, opening the door for two power-play goals by Dallas to tie the game at 3 with 18 minutes left. They lost goalie Christina Granteed to a right leg injury with 16 minutes remaining. And they killed off a See WARRIORS, Page 4B

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PAGE 4B WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

DISTRICT 2 GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY ROUNDUP

Comets go crazy with goals 11

Casey Cole accounts for six points as Crestwood rolls through quarterfinals.

spring her on a rush).” Callaghan Marissa Surdy had a goal and scored her first CRESTWOOD career goal -an assist for Crestwood. Freshman Hunter Pitman added her and followed second career goal. with two more Northwest scored on a corner for her first hat NORTHWEST in the first minute of the second trick. “It feels great,” Callaghan said half as Morgan Price netted her 15th of the season, tipping in a after the win. “I got my first varsity goal (on a sweeping shot Glenn Carr blast from the top of the circle. set up by Elizabeth Dessoye’s This was the third playoff centering pass). We all worked meeting between the teams in together. We know we’re not five years. Crestwood won the just one or two players; it takes everybody. And the whole team prior two matchups by 4-0 counts in 2008 and 2010. is always so supportive of each Northwest...................................................... 0 1 — 1 other.” Crestwood .................................................... 8 3 — 11 Kile had her three goals in the First half: 1. CRE, Morgan Kile (Marissa Surdy), 27:38; 2. CRE, Kile (Casey Cole), 26:33; 3. CRE, game’s first 13 minutes as the Cole (Chandler Ackers), 24:38; 4. CRE, Kile (Cole), 17:05; 5. CRE, Cole, 15:02; 6. CRE, Surdy (ElizaComets scored on six of their beth Dessoye), 13:58; 7. CRE, Daniella Callaghan first eight shots. Callaghan had (Dessoye), 1:24; 8. CRE, Callaghan (Kile), :05. half: 1. Second half: 9. NW, Morgan two goals in 1:19 late in the first PriceSecond (Glenn Carr), 29:03; 10. CRE, Cole, 24:41; 11. half to give the Comets an 8-0 CRE, Hunter Pitman, 14:13; 12. CRE, Callaghan (Cole), 12:33. lead at the break. The marker Shots: NW 8, CRE 22; Saves: NW 6 (Alivia Womelsdorf), CRE 6 (Dallas Kendra); Corners: NW 6, for the hat trick will stick with CRE 15. her as much as any goal she scored. Wyoming Seminary 1, “I like the third one the best,” Lake-Lehman 0 Callaghan said. “I got to use my Morgan Malone scored the speed to create the opportunity. only goal to lead Wyoming Casey gave me a great pass (to

By JOHN MEDEIROS jmedeiros@timesleader.com

WRIGHT TWP. -- Tuesday became a day many at Crestwood will remember for a long time, as the Comets scored on four of their first five penalty corners in an 11-1 victory over Northwest in a District 2 Class 2A field hockey quarterfinal. With the win, top seed Crestwood (17-2) advances to play No. 5 seed Wyoming Area, a 4-3 winner in overtime against Dallas. Sophomore Casey Cole had the biggest game of her career, netting three goals and three assists. She capped her scoring with a reverse stick shot from the right wing to make it 9-1. Junior Morgan Kile had her first hat trick of the season and an assist against the Rangers (16-2). And sophomore Daniella

Seminary over Lake-Lehman in a District 2 2A quarterfinal. Hannah Dressler recorded four saves to secure the shutout for Wyoming Seminary. Tiffany Malinowski stopped 10 shots for Lake-Lehman.

Lake-Lehman.................................................. 0 0 — 0 Wyoming Seminary....................................... 0 1 — 1 First half: 1. No scoring Second half: 1. Morgan Malone, 9:27 Shots: LEH 5, SEM 15; Saves: LEH 10 (Tiffany Malinowski), SEM 4 (Hannah Dressler); Corners: LEH 5, SEM 8.

Holy Redeemer 7, Nanticoke 0

Greta Ell, Marney and Melanie Kusakavitch each scored two goals apiece to lead Holy Redeemer over Nanticoke in a District 2 2A quarterfinal. Mallory Kusakavitch chipped in three assists while Stephanie McCole added a goal. Maddy O’Donohue recorded 13 saves for Nanticoke.

Nanticoke ........................................................ 0 0 — 0 Holy Redeemer .............................................. 4 3 — 7 First half: 1. Stephanie McCole (Alexis Lewis), 8:32; 2. Greta Ell (Mallory Kusakavitch) 3:56; 3. Marney Kusakavitch (Mallory Kusakazitch), 2:50; 4. Melanie Kusakavitch (Sarah Altemose), 0:00 Second half: 1. Marney Kusakavitch (Ell), 16:37; 2. Melanie Kusakavitch (Mallory Kusakavitch), 15:07; 3. Ell (Rachel Platko), 2:39 Shots: NAN 2, HR 21; Saves: NAN 13 (Maddy O’Donohue), HR 3 (Selena Malacari); Corners: NAN 1, HR 11.

WARRIORS Continued from Page 1B

10-minute shorthanded situation down the stretch. “It was very important to get that first goal,” Warriors coach Lunda Comiskey said. “Looking back, we were 7-1 this season when putting the ball in the “It was cage first. I let very imthem know that portant to stat before the game.” get that Coolbaugh first goal. scored on the game’s first Looking shot, tucking a back, we shot stick-side on a play startwere 7-1 ed by Serra this season Degnan and when put- played ahead by Lindsay Cating the rey. The lead ball in the lasted almost 14 minutes becage fore Dallas’ Jenny Cave first.” pounced on a Lunda rebound of a Comiskey Katy Comitz Wyoming Area coach shot to tie the game. The Mountaineers made things one-sided, holding a 12-3 edge in penalty corners in the first half. But the scoreboard tilted in the other direction, as Wyoming Area scored two late goals. A corner combination play with Abby Schwerdtman, Carey, Coolbaugh and finally Bednarski setting up Degnan. Two minutes later, Degnan drew goalie Lily Amadio away from the cage before diving and punching the ball across to Bednarski for a 3-1 lead. “I think it took us a little longer to settle in,” Dallas coach Kylie Rosengrant said. “We were flat the whole first half. This was the first varsity (playoff) experience

BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

Dallas’ Kayla Thomas, left, knocks the ball away from the cage as Wyoming Area’s Lindsay Carey attacks in a District 2 Class 2A field hockey quarterfinal game Tuesday afternoon.

for a lot of our players ... “They had a nice breakaway in the overtime to win.” After a yellow card, Dallas’ Vanessa Parsons connected on a spinning shot and Cave tipped a free hit by Michelle Thompson over Granteed to tie the game at 3. And on the Mountaineers’ next offensive possession, Granteed was injured. Into the goal stepped Cool-

baugh, the Warriors’ goalie for the best of both worlds today, the first six games of the season. scoring a goal and playing goal.” Sally Deluca had a defensive Without a warm-up, and having left the game during the first half save for Wyoming Area. Area............................................ 3 0 1 — 4 when she was struck in the head Wyoming Dallas ........................................................... 1 2 0 — 3 First half: Lexi Coolbaugh (Gianna Genby a stick, Coolbaugh had four nets), 28:55;1.2.WA, DAL, Jenny Cave, 15:08; 3. WA, Serra Degnan (Bree Bednarski), 8:20; 4. WA, Bednarski saves, including one in overtime (Degnan), 6:31. on a Comitz tip of a Parsons shot. Second half: 5. DAL, Vanessa Parsons (Michelle Thompson), 20:58; 6. DAL, Cave (Thomp“As soon as Christina got hurt, son), 18:16. Overtime: 7. WA, Bednarski (Degnan), 13:40. I knew I was going in,” CoolShots: WA 9, DAL 12; Saves: WA 8 (Christina Granteed 4, Coolbaugh 4), DAL 4 (Lily Amadio); Corbaugh said. “I knew I had to at- ners: WA 5, DAL 19. tack the ball against them. I got

COLLEGE ROUNDUP

AUTO RACING

King’s secures its spot at the top

Earnhardt gets a green flag from neurosurgeon

WILKES-BARRE - Meaghan Wernimont scored the go-ahead goal with 11:41 remaining in regulation to lock up the top seed in the Freedom Conference Tournament for the King’s College field hockey team as the Lady Monarchs defeated DeSales University 3-2 Tuesday. Abby McManus and Stephanie Wingerter also chipped in a goal apiece for King’s, while Megan Withrow added five saves. The Lady Monarchs will host a semifinal game Oct. 31 in their next match.

The Associated Press

The Times Leader Staff

Field Hockey Wilkes 2, Misericordia 1

Aliya Frankel scored the game-winning goal in the second half to give Wilkes

the victory over Freedom Conference foe Misericordia. Ashley Hahn added a goal off an assist from Frankel in the first half while Alexis Reed recorded 10 saves at goalie for Wilkes. Lindsay Hischak scored the lone goal for Misericordia. Goalie Grace Riker stopped 14 shots in the loss. Men’s Soccer Susquehanna 3, King’s 0

Andrew Murphy scored two goals to lead Susquehanna University to a shutout victory over King’s College. Goalie Mark Labbadia recorded three saves for the Monarchs. With the loss, King’s dropped to 10-5-1 on the season. Women’s Soccer

Wilkes 2, SUNY Cortland 2

Erin Donnelly led Wilkes University with two goals as the Lady Colonels tied Cortland State University. Katy Fissel and Lyndsay Ellis each chipped in an assist for Wilkes. The Lady Colonels moved to 10-4-3 on the season with the tie. Volleyball King’s 3, William Paterson 0

Alexa Nelson led King’s College with 12 kills as the Lady Monarchs defeated William Paterson University in straight sets. King’s won by scores of 25-23, 25-28 and 26-24. Mary Loughran added 27 assists, four kills and 11 digs, while Kelsie Kramer chipped in seven kills and one block for the Lady Monarchs.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. was cleared Tuesday for this weekend’s race at Martinsville Speedway after missing the last two weeks to recover from a pair of concussions. NASCAR’s most popular driver was examined by neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty one a day after he ran123 laps at half-mile Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga. Petty monitored Earnhardt during Monday’s test at Gresham. “Dale Jr. has done everything asked of him,” said Petty, who consults with NASCAR and is Earnhardt’s personal physician. “He hasn’t had a headache since Oct. 12, and we have not been able to provoke any symptoms since that time. I have informed NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports that he is medically cleared for all NASCAR-related activity.” Petty sidelined Earnhardt after Earnhardt complained of a lingering headache following a 25-car accident on the last lap of the Oct. 7 race at Talladega.

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H.S. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Nanticoke serves notice to league Brassington makes special deliveries as Trojanettes vie for No. 2 district seed.

six. Marlee Nelson took over the third, racking up five kills and ending it on an ace, putting Dallas up 2-1. “The girls wanted it because By TOM FOX this was their senior night,” For The Times Leader Dallas coach Meredith Ohl said. “They knew how imporDALLAS – It didn’t look tant this was. Nanticoke is a good for Nanticoke Area. team we may see in the postDown 2-1 in the match and season. The intensity got to us. 22-15 in the fourth set. A posI think that all the adrenaline sible second seed for the upstarted to kick in, and I think coming District 2 Class AA we lost our focus a little bit.” playoffs hanging in the balIt appeared all but ance. One loss, and no “We had to over as Dallas (11-6) held a seemingly-comchance for the two pick ourfortable 22-15 lead in seed. Cue Alexandra selves up. the fourth set. slipped away in Brassington. If we would fiveIt minutes – thanks The Trojan setter to nine straight service used her crafty under- have lost points by Brassington hand serve to rack up this one, and several big swings nine consecutive there was by Kayley Schinski and service points to Matulewski. squeak out a fourthno chance Allie “I can’t do an overset win and Nantihand serve. I tried it as coke led wire-to-wire for that a freshman and just in the fifth en route second couldn’t do it,” Brasto a 3-2 win over seed.” sington said of the Dallas in Wyoming Valley Conference Alexandra underhand serve. “My girls’ volleyball. Brassington mom was a volleyball Match scores were Nanticoke setter player and she told me to try an underhand 25-16, 23-25, 22-25, serve, and it worked for 25-22 and 15-11. “We pulled ourselves togeth- me. I really just tried to stay focused and after each serve, I er and said this is what we just kept telling myself to work need to do,” said Brassington, on the next one. I didn’t want who finished with a matchhigh 31 assists. “We had to pick to talk with anyone. I wasn’t ourselves up. If we would have even cheering with the team. I was just so focused.” lost this one, there was no The fifth set wasn’t close. chance for that second seed.” Schinski had kills on five of That was the mantra for the first nine points and NantiNanticoke (14-3). Win, and let coke jumped out to an 8-1 lead. the intangibles play out. “It was a crazy game with so Currently, the Trojans, Crestwood and North Pocono are all many highs and lows. We dug tied for the No. 2 seed – and all ourselves out, and I still don’t are expected to finish that way know how,” Krupinski said. “I think this was the first team all after the regular season ends. season that we’ve come up Of course, the second and third seed is important because against that truly blocked well. They double-block so well. I it means the opposite side of give them a lot of credit. The the bracket from undefeated turning point was when Lefty Holy Redeemer (16-0). “We would rather go against (Alexandra Brassington) was serving with that soft, underthat toss or pull the name out hand motion. I think it finally of a hat, whatever is decided rattled them. It was a long upon,” Nanticoke head coach game. You have to keep your Deb Krupinski said. “A loss head in it.” here and we were locked into Schinski and Matulewski that fourth seed.” combined for 23 of the Trojans’ It was a match of emotion. 39 kills. Englehart had 12 kills Nanticoke rolled to a 25-16 to pace Dallas. win in the first set, only to see Dallas’ 10 seniors respond in Nanticoke 3, Dallas 2 their final home game. Nanticoke............................... 25 23 22 25 15 — 3 Behind several big smashes Dallas ..................................... 16 25 25 22 11 — 2 Nanticoke Leaders: Kayley Schinski 12 kills, 1 from Tanner Englehart, and assist, 1 ace; Allie Matulewski 11 kills, 3 aces; crafy net play by Rachel OlsAlexandra Brassington 31 assists, 4 kills, 3 aces. Dallas Leaders: Tanner Englehart 12 kills, 5 zewski, the Mountaineers aces; Rachel Olszewski 9 kills; Marlee Nelson 5 rallied for a win in the second kills, 4 aces; Lauren Jones, 12 assists. set after trailing by as many as

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP

Redeemer’s streak keeps rolling behind Slavoski

The Times Leader Staff

Nicole Slavoski led Holy Redeemer with five kills, 24 service points and three assists as the Lady Royals secured the top seed in the District 2 Class 2A playoffs with a 3-0 victory over Hazleton Area on Tuesday. Sarah Warnagiris added 11 kills, seven service points, one block and one assist for Holy Redeemer. The Lady Royals moved to 17-0 with the win and have a 107-game winning streak against Wyoming Valley Conference foes dating to 2007.

Hazleton Area ............................................ 6 7 9 Holy Redeemer.......................................... 25 25 25 HAZ: Not reported HR: Nicole Slavoski 5 kills, 24 service points, 3 assists; Lauren Slavoski 4 kills; Sarah Warnagiris 11 kills, 7 service points, 1 block, 1 assist; Alyssa Platko 5 kills

MMI Prep .............................................. 25 25 18 25 GAR ....................................................... 19 13 25 23 MMI: Kristen Purcell 11 kills, 4 digs, 5 aces, 4 blocks, 12 service points; Kayla Koschner 11 kills, 2 assists, 3 digs, 2 aces, 14 service points; Kristen Young 8 kills, 2 digs, 7 aces, 1 block, 13 service points GAR: Banessa Flores 4 aces, 4 service points, 1 kill, 1 dig, 12 assists; Julianna Leco 2 aces, 5 service points, 5 digs; Monika Missal 5 kills, 5 digs; Jocelyne Vazquez 9 kills, 3 aces, 8 service points, 8 digs

North Pocono 3, Berwick 0

Kelli Bray collected a matchhigh 13 kills as the Trojans earned a home sweep.

Berwick........................................................ 15 14 8 North Pocono ............................................. 25 25 25 BER: Not reported NP: Kelli Bray 13 kills, Amanda Downer 7 kills, Kayla Perez 11 service points, Kaity Raven 11 service points

Wyoming Valley West 3, Hanover Area 0

Gabby Gadomski recorded 12 service points, 13 assists and four kills to lead Wyoming Valley West in straight sets. MMI Prep 3, GAR 1 Ashley Temerantz chipped in Kristen Purcell and Kayla six kills and four blocks for Karchner each recorded a Wyoming Valley West. game-high 11 kills to pace MMI Kim Ozmina had 10 assists Prep. and five digs for Hanover Area. Kristen Young chipped in Wyoming Valley West .............................. 25 25 25 Hanover Area ............................................. 15 10 18 eight kills during the victory. WVW: Gabby Gadomski 12 service points, 13 Banessa Flores led GAR with assists, 4 kills; Ashley Temerantz 6 kills, 4 blocks; Sarah Fugate 7 kills, 6 service points four aces, four service points, HAN: Kim Ozmina 10 assists, 5 digs; Amanda one kill, one dig and 12 assists. Fuller 4 kills, 3 digs, 1 block; Holly Saraka 6 digs, 3 kills, 3 service points

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THE TIMES LEADER

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012●

HIGH SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY

Warning: Woods are ahead Coughlin’s dynamic family is ready for a run at state gold, beginning this evening.

would after a big accomplishment. In this instance, the Coughlin freshman was calling her coach, Colleen Wood, over to join the team in accepting its District 2 championship trophy. By JOHN MEDEIROS Among those in the celebrajmedeiros@timesleader.com tion was Brigid’s teammate and WILKES-BARRE – “Wait! sister, Caitlin, a senior who scored the championship goal. Wait! Ma, come here!” Now they are off to the state Brigid Wood yelled to her mother the way any youngster playoffs – together – beginning

tonight at 5 in Hazleton against District 11 runner-up Stroudsburg. “This is our only chance,” said Caitlin, who is second on the team with 14 goals. “Even in indoor, we don’t get to play together (Brigid is on a different team and Colleen does not coach). It was our one goal to be here. Now, it would be nice to beat that freshman season and go on for more

OPINION

than one game.” “This is the last time we’ll ever get to play together at states and the first time,” Brigid said. “This is really special to our family.” It’s an interesting dynamic – the veteran and the rookie, led by mom. Does it break down into sibling rivalry? Not exactly. “She definitely has a strong

See WOODS, Page 3B

JOHN MEDEIROS/THE TIMES LEADER

Coughlin senior Caitlin Wood, right, talks to freshman Brigid Wood during practice Monday at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium.

NFL

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

New face ready for challenge at PSU

JIM LITKE

Pagano and Colts NFL’s best story WE CAN QUANTIFY most of the things a football coach does to help his team win games. Count the hours he puts in. Track whether players get better or worse. Turn his schemes inside out, tote up blown timeouts at the end of close games, and more. Or just go straight to the standings. All of those things combined don’t quite explain what’s been going on with the Indianapolis Colts. They were 1-2 six weeks ago, when coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia. They’re 4-1 since, and he just got some promising news from his doctor — that the cancer is in “complete remission.” The turnaround was already a conversation starter in Indianapolis. Now that the rest of America got to watch Pagano addressing the team after it narrowly beat the Dolphins, try to put a number on inspiration. Think back to last season, when it was Tim Tebow confounding the experts and the Broncos who were somehow more than the sum of their parts. Now he’s stuck on a bench in New York and the momentum has resettled 1,100 miles or so to the east in Indianapolis. The Colts are still a long way from being a playoff contender, but they made themselves the best story in the NFL so far. They weren’t expected to do much, not after losing PeySee LITKE, Page 6B

Newbill, a transfer from Southern Miss., is getting rave reviews from coach. By GENARO C. ARMAS AP Sports Writer

Brandon Boykin. Cooper streaked down the sideline for an apparent touchdown. Only one problem — Boykin’s lateral was actually a forward pass by about a yard, ruining the play with a penalty. Cooper stood with his hands on his hips, in disbelief, as the officials brought it back. Philadelphia finished with 447 yards — the eighth straight team to put up more than 400 yards on

STATE COLLEGE — D.J. Newbill is a poster boy for Penn State basketball before he even takes a shot for his new team. From all accounts, the transfer from Southern Miss has the credentials for his sudden notoriety in Happy Valley. The sophomore is the key addition in Year 2 in Patrick Chambers’ rebuilding project, and the enthusiastic Newbill coach isn’t shy about heaping the responsibilities on his new guard. Penn State opens the season Friday against St. Francis, Pa. Teammates say Newbill can run the floor with top point guard Tim Frazier, and that he has the confidence to call for the ball in crunch time. What would you expect for a kid from Philadelphia? “He’s just got that Philly swagger in him,” Frazier said Monday at the team’s media day. And just what is “Philly swagger?” “I don’t know,” Frazier joked, “I’m from Texas.”

See EAGLES, Page 6B

See CHALLENGE, Page 4B

AP PHOTO

New Orleans Saints running back Chris Ivory (29) eludes Philadelphia Eagles defensive back David Sims (21) during the first half of Monday’s game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Ivory, playing his first game of the season, had a 22-yard TD run.

Saints hand Eagles 4th consecutive loss

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP National Writer

NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees threw two touchdown passes, extending his NFL record streak to 51 games, and Patrick Robinson returned an interception 99 yards for a score to lead the New Orleans Saints to a much-needed win, 28-13 over Michael Vick and the reeling Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. The Saints (3-5) bounced back from a dismal 34-14 loss at Den-

ver, also getting a 22-yard touchdown run from Chris Ivory. Philadelphia (3-5) lost its fourth straight, which is sure to keep the heat on Vick and embattled coach Andy Reid. Vick threw a 77-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson in the third quarter, but that was about the only highlight for the visiting team which saw Vick sacked seven times. Not that they didn’t have their chances. The Eagles had firstand-goal four times and man-

aged only two field goals by Alex Henery. In fact, they were outscored in those situations, with Robinson going the other way for a touchdown just when it looked like Philadelphia was on the verge of scoring. Rubbing salt in the wound, Philadelphia squandered a chance to get back in the game with a brilliant trick play on a kickoff return. Riley Cooper laid flat in the end zone, unseen by the Saints, then popped up to take a cross-field lateral from

H I G H S C H O O L B OYS S O CC E R

New Crusaders ready for state challenge

Coughlin, in the PIAA boys soccer playoffs for the third time in four years, faces Lewisburg tonight. By DAVE ROSENGRANT drosengrant@timesleader.com

PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER

Coughlin’s Kyle Grego (1) and Lake-Lehman’s Chris Edkins fight for possession during Saturday’s district title game, won by the Crusaders, who are in the state tournament for the third time in four years.

Coughlin is making its third appearance in the PIAA boys soccer championships in four years. There are many differences this time around, though. For starters, the 2009 squad entered as district runner-up and the 2010 showing in the state tournament was when the Crusaders (16-2-1) were in Class 3A and were overpowered by state runner-up

“Now, with six, seven, eight seniors, plus Tommy Sebia and Dave Marriggi, who were here as freshmen, we now have state experience with us, so that should help.”

Rob Havard Coughlin coach

they face District 4 champion Lewisburg at Loyalsock High School, those players are now seniors and ready for another shot. “Now, we still have state experience coming back. That’s something we really never had because, even two years ago, we won the district title and we lost six starters that year,” Coughlin coach Rob Havard said. “Now, with six, seven, eight seniors, plus Tommy Sebia and Dave Marriggi, who were here as freshmen, we now have state experience with us, so that should help.” Winning tonight and becoming the first boys squad from the Wyoming Val-

Central Bucks East in the first round. Now they are back in 2A. The previous two seasons were also when the core of the players on the team were underclassmen. Tonight at 7 when See CRUSADERS, Page 3B

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012 PAGE 3B

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

MLB

Royals clicking at right time

Cabrera voted top player by his peers

Holy Redeemer’s chemistry is gelling entering today’s state opener vs. Wellsboro.

He edged Pittsburgh’s McCutchen and the Angels’ Trout for the honor.

By TOM FOX For The Times Leader

WILKES-BARRE – John Kablick is no stranger to the world of coaching. Sure, he knows people will judge a season on wins and losses. That’s the way the sporting world works – most of the time, anyway. The Holy Redeemer head coach knows a little something about winning as the Royals recently captured their sixth straight district title last weekend -- seven if you count the crown won by Bishop Hoban in its last season before combining to form Redeemer. Sure, crisp passes, hard hitters, ground-shaking serves and perfect back-row defense makes it easier. But it starts before that. “Chemistry,” he said. As the Royals take the court at 5 p.m. today at Dallas High School in the opening round of the PIAA Class 2A Tournament against District 4 champ Wellsboro, Kablick knows this possible state-title run began long before the ball is put into play. “We did have some question marks heading into this season,” he said. “We lost a lot from the 2011 team. We knew that we had two of our three hitters back, plus we had Biz (Eaton), who was going to be a four-year setter. We had a three-year starting libero with Sydney (Kotch), so we had a good starting point. But we had to find quality people to surround them with, and not just people who were going to stand around on the court. That’s why people like Kaya Swanek, Alyssa Platko and Casey Carty have been so important to our team this year.”

The Associated Press

JOHN MEDEIROS/THE TIMES LEADER

The Holy Redeemer girls volleyball team celebrates after winning its sixth straight District 2 Class 2A championship last weekend at North Pocono High School.

That’s where the chemistry begins. Out of the 12 players on the varsity squad, only four had varsity experience. The Royals did have a great starting point, though, in standout Sarah Warnagiris, but the squad has evolved and maintained the program’s winning ways. “You can’t put a price tag on chemistry,” he said. “You are talking about six girls running all over a 30-by-30 court, all at the same time. If you don’t talk, and know what your teammate is doing, you are going to have a lot of balls hitting the court. All teams are different. No matter what year it is, every team takes on a different persona. This year, all these girls are together. There are no groups or factions on the team. Everyone hangs out together off the court, and

gets along. That’s so important because you don’t want fingerpointing or name calling before, after or during matches. If you have just one small fraction, you could have a major, major problem.” There’s been none of that, as evident by watching the girls talk, rotate and glide around the court. “I think our early-season schedule helped us to build that chemistry,” Kablick said. “It’s not that those teams were easy because there are no easy games in the conference. But some of the perennial teams like Delaware Valley, Crestwood and Nanticoke were toward the end of our schedule. I think the girls got comfortable playing together, and worked on that communication aspect of the game.” With the regular season in the

past, all sights are pointed toward Wellsboro. “We have some statistics, and a team photo,” the Redeemer coach laughed when asked about what he knew about the Hornets. “The statistics are good because it gives you an idea of what they are running, and what they like to do with the serve-receive.” Leading the way is Hannah Zuchowski, who had 33 kills and 24 digs in the district championship game against Mansfield, and also have a four-year setter in Mackenzie Marple. “Obviously, we are going to have to focus on those two early in the match.” The winner moves into the state quarterfinals to face off with the victor of Delone Catholic and Masterman on Saturday.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER

Berwick hoping third time in states is a charm Bulldogs open PIAA Class 2A Tournament with a match vs. Trinity today in Hershey. By JAY MONAHAN For The Times Leader

Like any team making its third consecutive PIAA appearance, Berwick came into the girls soccer postseason with Hershey on its mind. Unfortunately, for the Wyoming Valley Conference champions, the Bulldogs are forced to make an appearance at Hersheypark Stadium much earlier than anticipated. Saturday’s 6-1 loss to Scranton Prep shattered the Bulldogs’ quest for a third consecutive District 2 championship. Instead of hosting a game at

WOODS Continued from Page 1B

personality,” Caitlin said of Brigid, nicknamed “Coach” during her stint with the junior high team because of her extensive field hockey knowledge. “It can be hard to tell her things. But she listens. She doesn’t always show it, but she does.” They live the game and take it home once in a while. But they are nothing but smiles talking about it. “A lot of people don’t understand the way we yell at each other,” Caitlin admitted. “Yeah, all the time,” Brigid added. “If we are just screaming at each other, that’s how we communicate. The have the ultimate referee in coach/mom Colleen. She keeps things on an even keel, though the players know not to vex mom, because coach may be there to punish them. “Mom’s actually a lot more strict (than coach),” Brigid said. “You try to not get on her bad

Wilkes University, the Bulldogs travel to Hersheypark Stadium to face Trinity (Camp Hill) today at 5 p.m. in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A playoffs. If Berwick wins, it will match up against either Moon or Forest Hills – both from Western Pennsylvania – in the quarterfinals. The task won’t come easy for the Bulldogs. Trinity is ranked No. 4 in the final Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association small school poll. The Bulldogs (17-1) must shake off a funk that plagued them against the Classics on Saturday. Scranton Prep scored two goals in the first 13 minutes, and Berwick was never able to recover. Berwick looked nothing like the team that steam-rolled

side at home, though, so she doesn’t make you run more at practice.” “You clean your room if she tells you to,” Caitlin said. The freshman is one of three area players selected to participate in the USA Field Hockey Futures Elite program. Despite a wealth of talent, she still had to find a role with a very good Coughlin squad. The senior is a two-time allstate selection, with a third nod likely on the way. They enjoy pushing each other to be better each game. “Everyone expects her to be the best player,” Brigid said of Caitlin. “Some of the guys cheer for me. They cheer ‘She’s a freshman’ or ‘We want Little Wood’ just to get under her skin.” But it’s all in good fun. For the Wood family, this is a special time, one that can be made more special each time they extend it with a victory. It’s also been a long time in the making. “The last time we went on that run, both of them were little,” Colleen said of Coughlin’s state

WVC competition throughout the year. Berwick had not trailed all season until Elana Falcone’s goal in the fourth minute Saturday. In fact, the only time they had been threatened offensively was Pittston Area’s Madison Mimnaugh’s first-half goal on Sept. 19. Relying heavily on its defense, Berwick’s success rests heavily on seniors Kelly Sheptock and Bridget Orlando. Olivia Seely and Olivia Conklin performed well in the midfield this season. The defense championed shutouts of WVC stalwarts Coughlin, Lake-Lehman and Dallas during the regular season, and silenced the Black Knights again in the semifinals. Karleigh Hartman and Caty Davenport continue to be the

playmakers for Berwick. To make matters worse for the traveling Dawgs: District 3 has not been kind to the Bulldogs of late. Berwick fell to the District 3 sixth seed each of the past two seasons in the spring state playoffs. Mechanicsburg ousted the Dawgs 3-2 this past spring, and Manheim Township shut them out 4-0 in 2011. Trinity (21-3) defeated Northern York 3-0 to win the District 3 championship. Sara Sajer scored two goals in the Shamrocks’ win and is the team’s leading scorer with 27 goals. Micaela Oliverio was named the Mid Penn-Capital player of the year with 16 goals and a league-leading 20 assists. The Shamrocks average 4.3 goals per game.

JOHN MEDEIROS/THE TIMES LEADER

Coughlin coach Colleen Wood, center, directs her players during practice Monday at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium.

finalists eight years ago. “When the kids were little, they were always on the sideline with us. Now, when the old players come back, they remember them from when they were little.” With this one chance to shoot for state gold together, the Woods are as ready as they could ever be. “We’ve worked so hard to be here, and to do it with my sister and my mother makes all the dif-

ference,” Caitlin said. “We understand what we need to do next.” Not only do they understand, but they can see it. “I want Martz buses and pasta parties,” Brigid said. “And our own pep rally,” Caitlin added. And while unsaid, they have the same goal as Class 2A’s Crestwood and Wyoming Seminary – state gold in two weeks.

NEW YORK — Miguel Cabrera is waiting for the crown that was presented to him at the World Series to arrive at his home. He’ll give it a prominent spot in his office. “I’ll show it to my friends, my family,” the Detroit Tigers third baseman said Monday after adding another honor by beating out Pittsburgh center fielder Andrew McCutchen and Los Angeles Angels rookie Mike Trout for player of the year as voted on by their fellow major leaguers. “I think it’s going to be something special for my kids. ... It’s going to be a good story for my grandkids.” Cabrera, the first Triple Crown winner in the big leagues since 1967, hit .330 with 44 homers and 139 RBIs for the AL champion Tigers. The slugger was given an actual crown by Major League Baseball during the World Series in honor of his achievement. Detroit was swept by San Francisco in the World Series. Cabrera hit .231 with three RBIs and ended the Series by taking a called third strike. “It’s really disappointing because we didn’t want to finish

like we finished,” he said. “It was very hard to accept how we lost.” But winning the Players Choice Award Cabrera was special because the voters were his big league peers. “It makes you feel proud and makes you feel like you’ve got to work harder, you’ve got to work to get better,” the 29-year-old Cabrera said. “You’ve got to get better every year.” Retiring Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones was voted Marvin Miller man of the year for excellence on and off the field over finalists Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox and Michael Young of Texas in Players Choice voting announced Monday. Other awards went to Cabrera (AL outstanding player), McCutchen (NL outstanding player), Tampa Bay’s David Price (AL outstanding pitcher) and New York Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (NL outstanding pitcher). Trout and Cincinnati third baseman Todd Frazier were voted the outstanding rookies, and Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco catcher Buster Posey were chosen comeback players of the year. Voting took place in September.

MEDIA

ESPN radio announcer Durham dies at 65 The Associated Press

BRISTOL, Conn. — ESPN radio announcer Jim Durham, who called NBA games for the network, has died. He was 65. ESPN said Monday that Durham died over the weekend at his home in Tomball, Texas. A cause of death was not announced. In 2011, Durham received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport. A Chicago native, Durham called Bulls games during Michael Jordan’s first seven seasons. He also served as a broadcaster for the Dallas Mavericks, Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros. “Jim was the voice of the Bulls

CRUSADERS Continued from Page 1B

ley Conference to reach the state quarterfinals since Wyoming Valley West in 2006 won’t be an easy task though. Coughlin takes on a Green Dragons squad that has just two losses and one tie on the season – to Danville and Selinsgrove – but avenged those three blemishes in the district semifinals and finals to claim their third straight D4 title and sixth in seven years. Lewisburg (18-2-1) scored five goals in districts, coming from four players. Udoka Eze scored twice in a 2-0 shutout over Central Columbia in the opening round. From there, the third-seeded Green Dragons went on to beat second-seeded Danville 1-0 on a goal by Nikolas Janesch. Then they bested the No. 5 Seals for the district title after trailing 1-0 in the second half on goals by Max Reed and Kerry Shutt. Lewisburg, which enters tonight’s match winners of nine straight, has scored 65 goals this season, including the playoffs. In their recent state appearances, the Dragons lost to Scranton Prep last year in the first round and defeated the Cavaliers in the first round of the 2010 tournament before bowing out in the quarters. During its seven-year run, Lewisburg has won in evennumbered years in the first round and lost in the odd-numbered years.

for 18 years and he was the best at calling a basketball game I ever heard,” Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said in a release. “I loved the energy he brought to our broadcasts, the way he painted a word picture of what was happening on the court which made you feel like you were there, and his sense of humor.” Durham was the lead play-byplay commentator for NBA games on ESPN Radio since its inception in 1996. His last assignment for ESPN was Tuesday’s season opener between Boston and Miami. The Mavericks and Trail Blazers observed a moment of silence before their game at the American Airlines Center on Monday night. “States is going to be hard, but we’re going to have confidence,” Coughlin senior Pat Malone said. “We’ve been there a couple times before. We’re going to know what to look for.” Lewisburg and Coughlin have striking similarities. While the Dragons have been streaking of late, the Crusaders have also put together a run, winning three in a row after dropping a pair of matches in a week to Dallas before the playoffs started. Lewisburg had trouble with two teams this season and Coughlin’s only losses and tie have come to the Mountaineers. On offense, the trio of seniors Malone and Justin Okun and sophomore Travis Kiel – who accounted for 40 of the team’s 48 goals in the regular season – have been hurting opponents in the postseason as well. Malone has three playoff goals, while Okun and Kiel have two apiece to make up the Crusaders’ seven in the postseason. The Coughlin defense has also been playing great of late. If you take out the nine goals scored by the Mountaineers in three games – including the WVC Division I tiebreaker – the team has allowed just eight scores in 16 games. “We had a little spell at the end with some injuries, but we really weren’t executing the way we should,” Havard said about his defense. “Through playoffs we gave up two goals so the defense came back. They reformed themselves.”

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Gemski shares championship memories By JOHN MEDEIROS jmedeiros@timesleader.com

There’s nothing like playing for a state championship. While this experience is new to Crestwood’s players, Comets coach Elvetta Gemski gets to enjoy the newness of the experience -- after all, each season brings a new team together -coupled with great memories of past trips to the state’s championship celebration. The list of players who built these memories is lengthy and their efforts appreciated. Here’s Coach Gemski’s stroll down memory lane ... 1981: A new era for field hockey It was the first time the PIAA used the present-day championship brackets. (U.S. Olympian and current Providence coach) Diane Madl was a freshman on the 1981 team that reached the state quarterfinals, losing to ReadingHoly Name, 3-0.

1983: Comets go 19-1-1, lose final to Springfield, 1-0 We used to go to a collegelike final four at Shippensburg Gemski University. We’d go down on Thursday night, play Friday and then you were in the final game or the consolation game Saturday. That year, we beat Reading-Holy Name 3-2, then played Springfield-Montco. Back in ’83, we split goalkeepers -- we had two goalies split time -and it was all grass fields. We had five seniors that year, and we actually stayed at a hotel called the Alamo. 1984 and 1987: Comets go 18-2-2 in ‘84 as Class 3A team, and 18-3-1 in ‘87 as Class 2A squad We returned to the final four as a Triple-A team (in 1984). We had

the theme of "Remember the Alamo" and got back to the final weekend. The team was there again in 1987, but had bigger accomplishments on the horizon. 1988: Comets go 24-0-0, win final over Northwestern Lehigh, 2-1 I remember a lot of this, being on a football field at Gov. Mifflin H.S., we played under the lights. There was a steady rainfall throughout and we were doing a lot of slipping by the end. (Assistant coach) Patsy (Moratori) was a captain and center halfback. (U.S. Junior Team member) Kathy Phelan was another captain -they provided very serious leadership. Northwestern Lehigh used a very long, effective what’s now called an aerial, but what we called a scoop then. That was something we really hadn’t come up against. We were winning 2-0

and they scored in the last 11 seconds. My view of it, I remember we were watching the big football scoreboard. The clock was running down, and usually the clock’s at the table. But we had that scoreboard with the big numbers running down. They were able to put one it. Now that was my view, not the players on the field. Having won, one of the most exciting things is when you pick up the police escort and the fire trucks for the victory parade. And that year, they actually had dinner waiting for us, win or lose. 1999: Comets go 24-2-1, win final over Southern Lehigh, 3-2 in OT This is one of the stories I use as a motivating factor. We had nine new starters and a goalkeeper who had never played goalie but was a talented softball player; we lost through graduation a large group of talented seniors. We had just three seniors, but one

happened to be (Olympic team member) Sara Silvetti. "Believe" was our motto. We met Southern Lehigh, the returning champs, at Messiah and they had a 58-game win streak. Southern Lehigh scored first and we fought back. They scored again, we fought back again. It was 2-2 in overtime and ... That group. They specifically enjoyed Country and Western dancing. They did it all the time -- pregame even -- and it worked for them.

everyone ran onto the field at Messiah. We had to bring everyone back to the sideline. The team had to rally itself from that and we finally won on a corner.

2004: Comets go 26-0-0, win final over Wyoming Seminary, 1-0 in OT We went back-to-back and were undefeated. The final was actually all District 2 -- we played Sem and even the officials were all from District 2, and we were down at Wissahickon H.S. That team, 2003: Comets go 22-3-0, win even losing three seniors from final over Oley Valley, 1-0 in 4 OT ’03, was great. (Assistant coach) With four overtimes, it had Lissa (Munley) was a senior in ’04. never happened before and it will This group of seniors were very never happen again -- they good and effective leaders. That changed the rule the next year. It was a big factor. They were a very was four five-minute overtimes focused group of seniors to follow and we scored finally in the last from ’03 like that. two minutes. If we hadn’t, we 2012: Comets are 22-2-0 would have been co-champs. It entering final against Villa was a game of heroic efforts by Maria both teams. We thought we had scored earlier in overtime and We’ll let you know.

Tale of the tape

AIMEE DILGER FILE PHOTOS/THE TIMES LEADER

Crestwood goalie Dallas Kendra (4) hugs teammate Rachael Ritz after Crestwood beat Greenwood in double overtime of the state semifinals Tuesday night. The victory was one of the dramatic moments during the Comets’ run to the state championship game.

Comets have survived plenty of drama Crestwood has found some new ways to win in the state playoffs. By JOHN MEDEIROS jmedeiros@timesleader.com

A first-shot goal, a last-shot goal and a double-overtime thriller. It’s more a yellow brick road to the state final instead of a leisurely drive to view the fall foliage. Crestwood has taken winning to a different place once the state tournament started, claiming victory in ways it never had during the season. “They are like barely wins,” junior defender Megan McCole said. “The difference is we keep on working, we push to the end. Even when we were down against Greenwood, we kept in it and just kept working. We knew we were going to get back in it. We all have that kind of faith in each other.” That faith shows. A team that faced little stress during district play has excelled in the pressure cooker of win-or-go-home action. “We just keep fighting the whole time,” sophomore midfielder Casey Cole said. “It’s easy for us to be that way because we’re family, we all love each other. We want to do our best for each other and we want to win for our two senior captains (Chandler Ackers and Rachael Ritz).” The first shot of the second half was the only goal against Hamburg. A shot with two seconds on the clock eliminated Selinsgrove. The last shot of the second overtime against Greenwood sparked a Crestwood celebration. While it’s scoring that caps these fantastic finishes, it takes more than goals to create the season-extending wins. “We have such a great defense,”

Cole said. “Without (goalie) Dallas (Kendra), we wouldn’t be going anywhere.” McCole turned aside a sure Hamburg score, reaching across an open goal to stop a shot ticketed to tie the game. Elizabeth Dessoye turned momentum in the game with a steal and rush upfield 1-on-3, one which ended with a Crestwood corner. Against Selinsgrove, a smart play keeping the ball in action during the final seconds set up the winning goal. Greenwood saw the potency of the Comets’ depth, as Daniella Callaghan raced onto the field on a player change and went right downfield to force a corner. “We honestly just come out with heart and with our skill, and it just happens for us,” junior forward Marissa Surdy said of the variety of gamechanging plays. The Comets played 20 games up to the district final. Only one, at Selinsgrove in early September, was a onegoal game. The district final against Wyoming Seminary was a 2-1 Comets’ win, but the game wasn’t an elimination affair, as both teams knew they were advancing to states. Since then, Crestwood has faced unknown opponents. The Seals appeared on the slate again, but teams evolve 20 games later in the season. Now, it’s last year’s runner-up, Villa Maria, which looks to do better against a District 2 foe after losing to Wyoming Seminary in last year’s final. “Playing Sem, we’ve got a pretty good rivalry between us,” junior forward Maury Cronauer said. “We know each other and they are always big games. This game (Villa), we don’t even need to know about them. We just have to make sure to play our game as well as we can.”

Head coach Elvetta Gemski, below, and assistants Patsy Moratori, standing with red scarf, and Lissa Munley, right, have had plenty of tense moments during the state playoffs this season.

“All I know about it is that it’s an all-girls school and they’re very good,” McCole said. “That’s enough for me. I don’t like to look at stats. I just like to show up and play the game. We’ll play our best and they play their best.” There is little left to do, outside of taking the field and playing for gold -a trip to the Lehigh Valley made possible by seemingly every Comet.

“Those last few (state titles) -- 1999, 2003, 2004 -- all had dramatic endings. We’ve already had a couple of those this year,” Crestwood coach Elvetta Gemski said. “Keeping their poise -those kinds of moments bring it out. Each one of them, on offense and defense. The goal line saves, the winning goals. Most times, it’s the coach saying it. This team has experienced it. “

Villa Maria Crestwood Record 22-1 22-2 Goals 109 94 Saves 89 93 Shutouts 13 14 Goals against 15 15 Against state teams 10-0 7-0 Coach’s career Maurene Polley, Elvetta Gemski, 617 wins 587 Villa Maria Hurricanes Likely starters No. Name Gr. Pos. G A P 5 Megan Parsons Jr. F 31 8 70 9 Amelia Iacobucci So. M 12 1 25 12 Olivia Bolles Sr. M 5 1 11 15 Meghan Murphy Sr. M 20 4 44 16 Maura Zarkoski Sr. B 0 0 0 29 Alex Ostoich So. F 6 4 16 32 Lindsay Moore Sr. B 0 0 0 34 Caroline Mackrides So. F 6 1 13 38 Alena McGonigle Sr. B 0 0 0 48 Katie Mooney So. F 14 4 32 No. Name Yr. Pos. GAA Sv. SO Pct. 47 Erika Miller So. G 0.65 .856 13 Reserve scoring No. Name Yr. Pos. G A P 4 Morgan Bosken Jr. F 3 0 6 6 Caroline Mullen Fr. M 1 0 2 7 Adiline Del Gatto So. F 1 0 2 13 Katie Faunce Sr. M 4 1 9 17 Abby Siana Fr. F 1 1 3 21 Caroline Zielinski So. F 2 0 4 31 Julia Giampietro So. F 4 0 8 Playoff goals (23): Parsons 8; Murphy 5; Iacobucci 3, Mackrides 3; Mooney 3; Bosken 1. Crestwood Comets Likely starters No. Name Gr. Pos. G A P 1 Chandler Ackers Sr. B 9 11 29 2 Maury Cronauer Jr. F 12 6 30 5 Hannah Ackers Fr. M 1 2 4 9 Morgan Kile Jr. F 6 5 17 15 Rachael Ritz Sr. B 0 0 0 17 Elizabeth Dessoye Fr. M 10 8 28 18 Ashleigh Thomas Fr. F 15 6 36 24 Marissa Surdy Jr. F 19 11 49 29 Megan McCole Jr. B 1 1 3 36 Casey Cole So. M 10 11 31 No. Name Yr. Pos. GAA Sv. SO Pct. 4 Dallas Kendra So. G 0.63 .861 14 Reserve scoring No. Name Yr. Pos. G A P 00 Daniella Callaghan So. F 4 0 8 6 Jessica Jennings Sr. F 0 1 1 7 Kailee Krupski Jr. M 2 0 4 10 Kara Jarmiolowski Fr. B 1 0 2 13 Hunter Pitman Fr. M 2 0 4 23 Angela Teberio Sr. F 0 1 1 31 Sarah Wodarczyk So. F 2 1 5 Playoff goals (24): Surdy 6; Callaghan 4; Cole 4; Kile 3; C Ackers 2; Cronauer 2; Dessoye 1; Pitman 1; Thomas 1.

COMETS Continued from Page 1B

starter) and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of teammates welcoming me and helping me learn.” It’s been the veterans’ turn this season to bring along new freshmen. Those players were in first grade the last time the Comets played for a state title. “We try to make them feel as welcome as possible,” Surdy said. “If something goes wrong, we try to keep theirspiritslifted.Wearejustabigfamily.” The coaching staff also plays an important role. Coach Elvetta Gemski started the program. Her assistants, both former players, are able to offer different perspectives. “A tremendous part of this is having Patsy (Moratori) as a player and a coach, and now Lissa (Munley),” Gemski said. “They can bring that experience to the group.” The family heads out on the field one lasttimetoday,lookingtodowhatthey do best. And that’s what has Crestwood playing for gold -- everyone in the family is making contributions to the team, making memories that will last forever. “This is the biggest game in my life so far,” Cronauer said. “In other sports, we’ve played in districts or for our conference. I remember last year against Greenwood, in overtime when I stepped back on the field and they scored (to end Crestwood’s season in the state playoffs). This game (today), I’ll remember forever.”

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2012

P E N N S TAT E F O O T B A L L

The emotional aftermath behind record-filled victory Mauti’s knee injury leads to tears all around By DEREK LEVARSE dlevarse@timesleader.com

AP PHOTO

Michael Mauti (42) follows Penn State running back Michael Zordich (9) off the field on crutches after a 45-22 win over Indiana. Mauti was injured on a play in the first quarter.

STATE COLLEGE -- Michael Zordich, dedicated fullback, cleared the path for his friend after the game. His helmet off and extended out in front of him, Zordich waded through the crowd making sure there was plenty of space for this two-man convoy to reach the rest of the team. Michael Mauti followed slowly behind him. He had stood beside Zordich four months ago on a field just around the corner from here as the two promised to keep Penn State football alive.

PENN STATE

INDIANA

tened as the student section stopped a “Let’s-Go-Li-ons” cheer midway through, quickly changing the verse. “Mi-chael-Mau-ti! Mi-chaelMau-ti!” The senior linebacker began to tear up. He would be one of many over the next hour. Mauti’s injury -- the exact severity is still unknown, according to coach Bill O’Brien -- lingered over an afternoon that saw Matt McGloin cement his place as one of the most prolific players in Penn State history. McGloin threw for a career-

He needed crutches to follow Zordich to the end. His left knee injured, perhaps seriously, Mauti reached the rest of his team following a 4522 drubbing of Indiana to sing the alma mater. Standing in front of the crowd in the corner of the end zone, the players lis- See PSU, Page 6C

Football/Inside Third-ranked Notre Dame remained undefeated by topping Wake Forest. 7C UCLA finally tops archrival USC. 7C

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

PIAA FIELD HOCKEY

GOLDEN COMETS

Dawgs just can’t handle 5-wide set Abington Heights, using five receiver format, too much for Berwick. By JOHN ERZAR jerzar@timesleader.com

BERWICK – It seemed like a perfect scenario for Berwick on Saturday afternoon. It ended up being an imperfect result. Abington Heights’ offense hadn’t scored in its last nine quarters, but once the Comets got a jolt of confidence they ABINGTON overwhelmed Berwick’s HEIGHTS staunch defense for a 4435 victory in the District 2 Class 3A championship game. BERWICK Abington (10-2) will play District 11 champion Allentown Central Catholic (7-5) at 1 p.m. next Saturday tentatively at Valley View High School in the PIAA Class 3A tournament. Berwick ended its year at 10-2. Berwick had allowed its last three opponents just one touchdown each. It surren-

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AHL

Unusual goals lead Bears win By PAUL SOKOLOSKI psokoloski@timesleader.com

BILL TARUTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

Crestwood’s Hannah Ackers, left, and Casey Cole hug after defeating Villa Maria Academy 1-0 to claim the PIAA Class 2A field hockey championship Saturday afternoon at the Zephyr Sports Complex in Whitehall.

Another dramatic win gives Crestwood state title By JOHN MEDEIROS jmedeiros@timesleader.com

WHITEHALL -- Crestwood standout Chandler Ackers knew her game was golden, days before the state final. And not because she’ll be wearing the black and gold of Iowa in college next season. "We’re not going to lose the rest of the year," Ackers said Tuesday night after her state semifinal-winning goal. "We’ve got one more win left. There’s no way we’re losing."

After Saturday’s PIAA Class 2A CRESTWOOD championship game, Ackers was crying. The sobbing VILLA MARIA featured tears of joy, though, as she set up the only goal of the title game, won by her Comets 1-0 over Villa Maria on Saturday at the Zephyr Sports Complex. "I still can’t believe what happened," Ackers said Saturday. "I

think I’m going to start crying again. These girls wanted it so bad and they played so hard. I am so proud of every one of them. They played till the end and we got the gold." It was a season that started with a split of games, and then a rainy doubleheader in Selinsgrove in which coach Elvetta Gemski became the sixth coach to reach 600 career wins. A season where they lost to an impressive Holy Redeemer squad, then avenged that loss in a division cham-

pionship playoff. And then there was drama. Lots of it. Crestwood won the District 2 title against two-time defending state champ Wyoming Seminary by a goal, then ran off four more one-goal wins in four state tournament games -each one capped by a greater flurry of excitement. "It feels so great," said Comets goaSee COMETS, Page 8C

HERSHEY - A couple of funky goals put the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in an early hole. A late lapse in the second period finished them BEARS off. Tomas Kundratek shoveled home a powerplay goal with just fourPENGUINS tenths of a second remaining in the second period Saturday and Braden Holtby stopped 23 shots as the hated Hershey Bears pushed aside the Penguins, 4-1, in a game of oddities at the Giant Center. Boyd Kane put the finishing touches on Hershey’s victory by poking home an empty-net goal with 30 seconds to play. Bears winger Garrett Mitchell put the Bears on top twice with a couple of unusu-

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Cornered, the Comets stepped up

Villa Maria had 16 penalty corners, but Crestwood’s defense didn’t give in. By JOHN MEDEIROS jmedeiros@timesleader.com

BILL TARUTIS PHOTOS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

The PIAA Class 2A state field hockey champion Crestwood Comets.

Crestwood players celebrate their victory over Villa Maria Academy 1-0 in the PIAA Class 2A field hockey championship game on Saturday afternoon at the Zephyr Sports Complex in Whitehall.

Crestwood’s Marissa Surdy, right, knocks the ball away from Villa Maria Academy’s Meghan Murphy.

Crestwood’s Casey Cole, left, and Daniella Callaghan study their gold medals.

Crestwood’s Daniella Callaghan, right, hugs a teammate after the PIAA Class 2A field hockey championship game on Saturday afternoon at the Zephyr Sports Complex in Whitehall.

COMETS Continued from Page 1C

lie Dallas Kendra. "I’m so happy I don’t even know what to say. I want to scream with joy." Players, coaches and fans celebrated like no other time in recent memory -- Crestwood’s last state championship came in 2004, when the seniors were in fourth grade. "We just went through quite a few of them," Gemski said of the dramatic wins. "We told them the only important thing is to be one-up at the final whistle. It definitely helped us. The win with two seconds remaining (against Selinsgrove in the quarterfinals),

for example. It’s a mental experience they had. They know how to work through it." The Comets came out hard, bursting into the Villa circle and getting the game’s first scoring chances as Ashleigh Thomas was set up by Maury Cronauer. But Hurricanes goalie Erika Miller was there to stop Thomas’ shot and the rebound opportunity. Crestwood earned a penalty corner from the ensuing scramble. The Comets didn’t get a shot, but Elizabeth Dessoye picked up another corner. The second corner was a direct pass from Ackers to Marissa Surdy, and the junior’s blast knocked the goal’s backboard with a heavy thud. "Every game we want to get

out there and get the lead," Surdy said of her 20th goal of the season. "We wanted to score first, maybe get an easy one, and mess them up." "It’s just one of our corners we practice a lot," Ackers said. "Marissa is great at the 3-slot. She’s going to help them so much next year." Play through the first 20 minutes was dominated by Crestwood, which had four of the first six corners called and five of the first six shots. In the 16th minute, it was nearly 2-0 as Casey Cole dribbled into the circle and let a reverse stick shot go that Surdy tipped. Miller made the save but the rebound was poked past her, only to be pushed away by the diligent

work of Villa midfielder Meghan Murphy. "We knew we had to keep the pressure up," Crestwood co-captain Rachael Ritz said. "And everyone just had to keep calm out there." The Hurricanes finished with a16-9 edge in corners, none more dangerous than the one in the sixth minute of the second half. Olivia Bolles took a pass from Murphy at the top of the circle and slipped a shot past Kendra. Megan McCole made the defensive save at the goal line, but Abby Siana pounced on the rebound. An official’s whistle halted the threat and the Hurricanes’ goal celebration. "It was an obstruction call," Ackers said. "One girl ran in front

of the other girl." After a long rush upfield by Dessoye earned Crestwood a corner with seven minutes remaining, the Comets kept Villa from mounting another threat the rest of the way. It was the second consecutive loss to a District 2 team for the Hurricanes in the state final, as they fell to Wyoming Seminary last season.

Crestwood................................................... 1 0 — 1 Villa Maria ................................................... 0 0 — 0 First half: 1 CRE, Marissa Surdy (Chandler Ackers), 27:01. Shots: CRE 10, VIL 9. Saves: CRE 6 (Dallas Kendra), VIL 6 (Erika Miller). Penalty corners: CRE 1 of 9, VIL 0 of 16. Long corners: CRE 3, VIL 4. Defensive saves: CRE Megan McCole, VIL Meghan Murphy. Lineups Crestwood -- (F) Maury Cronauer, Elizabeth Dessoye, Marissa Surdy, Ashleigh Thomas, (M) Hannah Ackers, Casey Cole, Morgan Kile, (B) Chandler Ackers, Megan McCole, Rachael Ritz, (R) Daniella Callaghan. Villa Maria -- (F) Caroline Mackrides, Kate Mooney, Alex Ostoich, Megan Parsons, (M) Olivia Bolles, Amelia Iacobucci, Meghan Murphy, (B) Alena McGonigle, Lindsay Moore, Maura Zarkoski, (R) Abby Siana, Morgan Bosken.

WHITEHALL – Against Crestwood, sometimes no corner is a goal. A talented Villa Maria team had 16 penalty corners – the most the Comets allowed in regulation all season – yet came up empty every time in Crestwood’s 1-0 victory Saturday. It was just a week prior that the Hurricanes scored on 3 of 9 opportunities against a District 2 foe, eliminating an exceptional Wyoming Seminary Coming squad. Monday “They • Crestwood’s good luck were under charms constant • Elvetta pressure Gemski’s fifth from Villa title Maria and • Seniors strike they withgold stood it,” Crestwood coach Elvetta Gemski said of her team. “They had repeated corners over and over again, but we were able to persevere.” The Hurricanes ran their corners through big-hitter Meghan Murphy at the top of the circle. Connecticut recruit Olivia Bolles and Amelia Iacobucci were options for a pass, as was Megan Parsons, who handled the injection play. The first corner ended on a foul and the second saw Iacobucci’s shot snuffed out by Comets defender Rachael Ritz. The third saw Iacobucci get a shot through, but goalie Dallas Kendra was there to bat it down with her blocker. The sixth featured another Iacobucci shot -- again eschewing Murphy and Parsons, who had a combined 51 goals this season -- and another Kendra save, this one off the right knee. “I was expecting them,” Kendra said of the shots. “They had us outnumbered, but I kept my feet moving and stepped to the ball.” “We had trouble on their corners at first, then we fixed it,” Ritz said. “Morgan (Kile) was flying out but I had trouble with the dump pass. (Assistant) coach (Patsy) Moratori and coach Lissa (Munley) fixed that. They had us make a little change that set us up to pick off passes and deflect shots. Three Villa corners in two minutes came up empty late in the first half. In the second half, the first corner looked like it might have ended with an Abby Siana score for Villa, but an obstruction foul ended the threat. “They’ve been amazing,” Gemski said of the group, which included Chandler Ackers and Morgan McCole. “We got a tremendous fly from Morgan Kile. Rachael Ritz was great. The whole group just shut them down.” The Comets withstood a flurry of five corners in two-plus minutes of the second half and finished with just six shots allowed on the 16 corners. Six other tries saw shots blocked along the perimeter and three ended on Hurricanes fouls. “We knew what we were coming up against and the defense did a great job running them out of the circle,” Crestwood’s Marissa Surdy said. Crestwood finished the postseason allowing just four goals on 54 corners. The stellar defense went beyond corner play, though. With Villa pushing for the tying goal late, the Hurricanes had difficulty just getting across the midfield stripe. Ritz would cut off an outlet pass. Or Kile. Or Casey Cole. McCole shut down a rush by the dangerous Parsons, a 31-goal scorer. Chandler Ackers intercepted passes and dribbled deep into Hurricanes territory. Perhaps none was better down the stretch, though, than Hannah Ackers. “She stopped a lot of big balls for us,” Moratori said of three key plays in the final minutes. “And for a freshman to play with that kind of poise, making the stops, putting the ball into safety. She was very calm under pressure.”