GCC earns spot in PAC men's soccer title game

GROVE CITY, PA, November 2, 2001--For the second time in three years, the Grove City College men's soccer team is headed to the  Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship Game.

Senior Brian Williams (Charlotte, NC/First Assembly) scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 27th minute as top-seeded Grove City (13-5-1) blanked fourth-seeded Waynesburg College (8-13), 1-0, in a steady drizzle at the College Field on Friday. 

The Wolverines will host Saturday's Championship Game at 1:00 p.m. against No. 3 Bethany College, who knocked off No. 2 Washington & Jefferson College, 5-1.  Grove City and Bethany split the season series with the Wolverines winning at home, 1-0, and losing in West Virginia, 2-1.

Junior Nate Burgess (Richmond, VA/The Collegiate School) set up the game's only goal by lofting a shot into the middle of the box.  Waynesburg goalkeeper Justin Fee called for the ball and charged out of the net to make the catch, but a collision ensued and Williams dribbled the loose ball across the goal line.  For Williams, it marked his fourth goal of the season and second game-winner, while Burgess was credited with his team-high fourth assist.

The Wolverines outshot the Yellow Jackets, 14-3.

Grove City's defense didn't allow a single shot on goal as the back-line of Burgess, senior Andy Shockey (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) and senior Geoff Swanson (Burlington, CT/The Master's School) spent most of the game near the midfield stripe.  Swanson started at left fullback in place of sophomore Mike Koper (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin), who was scratched due to the flu.  Senior Sam Coffman (Scottdale, PA/Southmoreland) controlled the middle of the field all afternoon, heading back several goal kicks and setting up numerous offensive breaks.

Williams just missed giving Grove City a two-goal advantage in the 67th minute when he rang a blistering shot off the crossbar from 20 yards out.

Ten of the Wolverines' 13 victories this season have been decided by a shutout margin, including seven by a 1-0 verdict.

Grove City is in search of its second PAC championship title, having tied Bethany for the 1996 crown when regular-season play decided the champion.  Grove City lost in the PAC tournament semifinals last year to Bethany after falling to the Bison in the 1999 league title game.