The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- December 20, 1999

Owls culminate perfect campaign with men's soccer crown

Defending champion Southern Connecticut State won its second consecutive Division II Men's Soccer Championship by defeating Fort Lewis, 2-1, in overtime December 5 at Barry.

The title is the Owls' sixth, more than any other team in Division II. The Owls are only the second team in Division II history to complete a season undefeated and untied.

Southern Connecticut State scored first at the 21:14 mark when Assaf Dagai took a perfect cross from teammate Avi Scabini and scored from eight yards out. The goal was one of only two shots in the first half by Southern Connecticut State, but the Owls prevented Fort Lewis from attempting a shot at all during the period.

But with only two minutes remaining in the second half, Fort Lewis' Chris Greer took a pass from Brandon Kaplan and blazed a shot past Southern Connecticut State goalkeeper Andrew Olivieri from about six yards out to knot the score and send the game to sudden-death overtime.

During the second overtime period, Southern Connecticut State's Dan Valency played a rebound from Tony Fernandes missed shot and maneuvered around a Fort Lewis defender to send the ball toward the net and teammate T.J. Delucia. An awkward side-footed kick was all the control Delucia needed to get the ball over the goal line and give the title to the Owls.

"I just kept running, and Tony took a shot," Delucia said. "It hit the back of his (Fort Lewis goalkeeper Steve Berglund's) foot, and he got up pretty quick, and I just got on the side of him. The next shot that came, it just came to my foot. I was so tired, I just wanted to get it in. I saw the ball coming, and I flicked it."

Owls coach Tom Lang acknowledged the evenness of the contest and his team's victory. "Obviously, I'm thrilled," he said. "It was a close game, and we knew coming in that it was going to be a difficult game. Fort Lewis worked hard and was well-organized. They conducted themselves with great dignity and great class. That's a credit to their institution and their coaching staff."

Jeremy Gunn, head coach of Fort Lewis, said his team could not overcome the Owls' stingy defense. "Southern Connecticut played so well defensively against us today, we just really couldn't get anything going," he said. "Later on in the game, we changed it to pumping some balls in the box. That was the only way we were going to get chances on goal. In the end, I think they did enough to close us down to win the game."

Southern Connecticut State, which advanced to the championship game with a 1-0 win over Charleston (West Virginia), ended its perfect season at 20-0-0. The Skyhawks, who advanced by virtue of a 2-0 victory over Barry, finished with a record of 18-3-3.

Delucia was named the tournament's most outstanding offensive player for his game-winning score. Fort Lewis defender Brad Greenwood took home most outstanding defensive honors. Joining Greenwood on the all-tournament squad were fellow Skyhawks Luc Cisna, Chris Greer and Steve Berglund. Southern Connecticut State contributed Scabini, Dagai, Paul Oyuga and Paul Brooks to the team. Phil Elias and Johan Nordin from Charleston (West Virginia) were named to the team, while Barry placed Greg Jehs and Alen Marcina.

SEMIFINALS

Charleston (W.Va.) -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

Southern Conn. St. -- 0 -- 1 -- 1

Second half: SC -- Paul Oyuga (Avi Scabini), 61:47.

Shots: Charleston (W.Va.) 7, Southern Conn. St. 10. Goalkeeper saves: Charleston (W.Va.) (Phil Elias) 2, Southern Conn. St. (Andrew Olivieri) 4. Corner kicks: Charleston (W.Va.) 6, Southern Conn. St. 2. Fouls: Charleston (W.Va.) 20, Southern Conn. St. 7. Yellow cards: Charleston (W.Va.) -- Per Ole Tenden. Red cards: Charleston (W.Va.) -- Per Ole Tenden. Attendance: 491.

Fort Lewis -- 1 -- 1 -- 2

Barry -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

First half: FL -- Curt Slaughter (Brian Frederick), 24:46.

Second half: FL -- Chris Greer (Matt Vannice), 56:04.

Shots: Fort Lewis 8, Barry 8. Goalkeeper saves: Fort Lewis (Steve Berglund) 3, Barry (Vinicius Cavani) 4. Corner kicks: Fort Lewis 2, Barry 8. Fouls: Fort Lewis 22, Barry 15. Yellow cards: Fort Lewis -- Dio Cifuni, Benj Fredrick, Alex Zametkin; Barry -- Alen Marcina. Attendance: 1,272.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Fort Lewis -- 0 -- 1 -- 0 -- 0 -- 1

Southern Conn. St. -- 1 -- 0 -- 0 -- 1 -- 2

First half: SCS -- Assaf Dagai (Avi Scabini), 21:14.

Second half: FL -- Chris Greer (Brandon Kaplan), 88:01.

Overtime: SCS -- T. J. Delucia (Dan Valency), 115:32.

Shots: Fort Lewis 5, Southern Conn. St. 12. Goalkeeper saves: Fort Lewis (Steve Berglund) 6, Southern Conn. St. (Andrew Olivieri) 4. Corner kicks: Fort Lewis 1, Southern Conn. St. 1. Fouls: Fort Lewis 21, Southern Conn. St. 13. Yellow cards: Fort Lewis -- Dio Cifuni, Brian Fredrick; Southern Conn. St. -- Avi Scabini. Attendance: 403.