Two Wildcat Teams Seeking Conference Championships

Two Pennsylvania College of Technology fall sports teams are seeking championships over the next few days.

The women's soccer team, despite a 2-4-1 overall record, goes for the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference championship at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Luzerne County Community College. The golf team, which went unbeaten through the regular season and is 96-0 over the past three looks to win the season-ending Penn State University Athletic Conference Open Tournament on Monday and Tuesday.

Women's Soccer Although it was only 1-1 in EPCC matches, Penn College qualified for the championship, and Mike Stanzione, college athletic director, hopes the team can play the kind of a match that helped it win conference championships in 2001 and 2002.

"In a season that was short on players, the women who played for us this year showed remarkable fortitude in staying with the team and, with that hard work and determination, we now get a chance to play for the EPCC championship," he said.

Goalie Kim Carbaugh (Northern Lebanon) and midfielder Sarah Tietbohl (West York) have been the key players for the Lady Wildcats thus far, Stanzione said.

When Penn College and Luzerne met during the regular season, Luzerne won, 10-1.

Golf "I think they're ready to go," coach Chet Schuman said, pointing out that, since the team's regular season ended Sept. 28, his golfers have been putting in a lot of time practicing for the finale.

The tournament has special significance for senior Matt Haile of Sunbury. It will be his final event as a Penn College golfer and he was the leader on the team two years ago when its incredible win streak began. In fact, that year, he won the individual conference championship.

"You always want to win. The kids are talking about going over 100 (consecutive victories) and, if we win this (open), we'll do that," Schuman said. "It would be a nice way for Matt to go out as a senior. He was there when it started."

Also representing the college will be Shaun McQuay (Watsontown), Gilbert Balliet (Watsontown), Tony Stopper (Jersey Shore), Len Nicholas (Abington) and Jonathan Dolinich (Sayre).

In a change from the original schedule, the tournament will be held on the White Course at Penn State, rather than the Blue Course, which is under reconstruction.

"We'll see it and practice Sunday for the first time. They'll ride (carts) Sunday and save their legs for Monday and Tuesday. I told them the first time out to 'learn the course. Hit balls and learn the course as much as you can,' " Schuman said.

Mentally,he said, his players are ready.

"There will be a little bit of nerves on the first tee, but, other than that, they're ready to go," the coach added. "And when we get back, hopefully, it will be with a championship."