Vallow has a big hand in Rhinos win

By Jeff DiVeronica
Democrat and Chronicle

(Sunday, October 14, 2001) -- To say Scott Vallow has a firm handshake is an understatement. It's an engulfing grip.

The Rhinos goalie has huge hands, and last night he needed every inch of his left one to make a game-altering save in Rochester's 2-0 win over Hershey in the A-League title match.

Tied 0-0 in the 53rd minute, Hershey's Ze Roberto had an open shot from 12 yards. But Vallow dived left and just nicked the ball. It trickled wide right.

"It was half a hand," he said with a smile. "I wanted to make sure I stayed on my feet because I know he's a tricky player."

Vallow, 24, last year's A-League Goalie of the Year, was benched late this season but came back for Game 2 of the quarterfinals. He closed the season with two shutouts in three games.

"You have ups and downs in every season," he said. "I'm just lucky (coach Pat Ercoli) had confidence to give me another chance."

Defender Scott Schweitzer said he told Vallow before the game: "We're not going to give up many shots, but they're going to get that one, so save it."

Defense does it: Hershey's defense and 2001 Goalie of the Year Jon Busch (16 shutouts) came in with all the hype, but it was Rochester's back line of Schweitzer, Mali Walton, Bill Sedgewick and Kalin Bankov that sparkled.

"This is the first year (Hershey has) had a good defense," Schweitzer said. "We've been playing that way for five years."

The Rhinos did whatever it took to limit shots, including blocking them with their bodies.

"Before a playoff game in 1998, we all said 'No shots,' " Walton said. "Now before big games we do the same thing. Me or Scottie yells it out."

Tough guy: Schweitzer exited in the 65th minute with an Achilles' injury and Rochester played a man-down for a few minutes. He said there was no way he was staying out.

"No chance," he said. "I would never take myself out. Even with a broken leg, I'd tape it up and play through it.

The two-time A-League Defender of the Year grinned. In Namath-like fashion, he guaranteed a title after the quarterfinals.

"Like him or dislike him, you have to respect him," Busch said of the always-emotional Schweitzer. "Five championship games in a row (a league record). That speaks volumes."

Will it end? In Rochester's six-year history, it has played in five league championship games (won three of the last four) and played in two U.S. Open Cup titles matches (won in '99).

Its postseason record: 21-8-1.

Kissed off: There was no storybook return to Frontier Field for Hershey forward Doug Miller, the Rhinos star from 1996-99 who is still the franchise's leading scorer.

He entered in the 56th minute and managed one shot, a 28-yard boot in the 86th minute.

"The Rhinos played a better game," he said. "They capitalized on their chances. They're tough to beat at home and they continued to show that."

Nice timing: Midfielder Stoian Mladenov, 26, who scored both goals, played in the previous three title games against Rochester with the Minnesota Thunder. He played all 270 minutes, but didn't have a goal or assist. He was traded to Rochester on June 11.