Nov. 6, 2005

Final Stats

California, Pa. - Break out the bubbly! A 31-year dry spell has ended!

For the first time since 1974, The Rock men captured the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoff championship Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 win over hosting California U. of Pa.

Gary Saunders and Jeff Hamley each scored a goal for SRU (12-7-2) as The Rock took a 2-0 lead into intermission.

Playing in an extremely windy conditions, both teams were conservative in the opening minutes. Saunders broke the scoreless draw in the 21st minute when he collected a loose ball in the goalmouth and knocked it into the net for his team-leading seventh score of the season.

Senior captain Dave Keller, who was named the game MVP for his effort in leading The Rock defense, and Chris Byers were each credited with an assist onthe goal.

Less than two minutes later, Hamley took a free kick from near midfield. The ball sailed in the windy conditions and got by Cal keeper Eric Greaves for Hamley's first goal of the season and a 2-0 Rock lead.

That lead held up through an intermission that was extended by approximately 40 minutes due to lightning in the area and a valiant comeback effort by the hosts.

California's Pedro Palladino scored a goal with about 15 minutes left to play to close the final gap to 2-1.

Keller and The Rock midfielders were able to consistently muffle most Cal threats. The Vulcans managed just nine shots in the match.

Chris Cook recorded four saves for The Rock, which managed to get off only seven shots in the game.

Sunday's win capped a never-say-die, fairy-tale season for The Rock, which had not earned a PSAC playoff berth since 1985.

The Rock now anxiously awaits Monday's announcement of the NCAA postseason field.

The Rock, which is hoping to earn a first-ever berth in NCAA postseason competition, was tied with Lock Haven for fourth place in last week's NCAA Division II Northeast Regional ranking.

Three teams from the Northeast Region will receive an NCAA berth on Monday.

The Rock finished second behind California in the PSAC regular-season competition, but, including Sunday's win, recorded two victories in three head-to-head meetings this fall.

The Vulcans (14-8), which won the regular-season crown for the fourth time in six years, also lost in the PSAC championship match for the fourth time in the same span.