Low-scoring match possible unless early goal alters tempo

By Jeff DiVeronica
Democrat and Chronicle

(Saturday, October 13, 2001) -- The Rhinos and Hershey split four matches this season -- June 1 and 16 in Chocolatetown and July 2 and Aug. 3 in Rochester -- each by a 1-0 score.

So what are the chances of a scoring explosion in tonight's A-League title game, right after the pre-game fireworks?

Slim and none, but an early goal could force the trailing team to stir its attack more.

"I think it could open up," Rhinos midfielder Lenin Steenkamp said. "The way we've played in the playoffs, we've pushed forward and scored." But the Rhinos haven't played a club that utilizes the same disciplined type of team defense Hershey does. The Wildcats have a league-best 16 shutouts behind A-League Goalie of the Year Jon Busch.

"The rhythm of both offenses has been in sync in the playoffs," said Hershey coach Bob Lilley, whose club won 2-0 at Portland and 4-0 at Vancouver. "Just because each team has a good defense, I don't think the guys who attack in this game should be overlooked. There are some quality scorers."

Hershey lost its top scorer, ex-Rhino Eduardo Sebrango (10 goals, 3 assists), to a stress fracture, but picked up former Rhinos MVP Doug Miller (3-5). Left-footed Mike Feniger (8-4) and 6-foot-2 Steve Klein (7-6) start at forward and Kyle Swords (7-8), Doug Watson (4-4) and Ze Roberto (6-5) are midfield threats.

Rochester has scored eight goals in four playoff matches. Steenkamp (10-4) and midfielder Stoian Mladenov (8-10) led the way much of the season, but forward Neathan Gibson (3-1) has scored his only goals in each of the past three playoff games and midfielders Nate Daligcon (4-2) and Martin Nash (5-2) also have emerged. "I think the longer the game goes without a goal each team will play more cautious," Rhinos coach Pat Ercoli said.

Together again: Rhinos goalie Scott Vallow and Hershey's Klein were teammates and roommates at Bowling Green State University. Klein was two years ahead of Vallow, 24. Yesterday they reminisced before a team banquet. "We raised and toast and said, 'Here's to playing against each other at the next level,' " Vallow said.

Sentimental: Rhinos forward Jamel Mitchell, who arrived in March via a trade, was on Hershey the past three years when it lost to Rochester in the playoffs. "All we ever talked about was getting to the final," he said. "And now to have reached it and see that the guys I battled with for three years have made it, too, it's even better."

Did you know? Rhinos defender Scott Schweitzer is the only player in league history to appear in five straight title games. In addition to the past four with Rochester, he was with Carolina in 1997 when it lost in a shootout at Milwaukee.

Of note: Fans who ordered tickets by phone are encouraged to pick them up before tonight to avoid long lines. Those who want to tailgate should to do it at Brown's Square Park near Frontier Field. Tailgating is not allowed in Kodak parking lots.

Throw-ins: Phil Schoen and Vancouver general manager Bob Lenarduzzi will call the match for TV broadcasts and on the Internet at USLSoccer.com... . Charleston's Paul Conway (22 goals, 3 assists) was named league MVP... . The league Goalie of the Year has been on the title team each of the past three years -- Pat Onstad (1998) and Vallow (last year) for Rochester and Minnesota's John Swallen ('99). Hershey's Busch won this year.