High School Soccer:
Delsea Boys Prepared For Playoffs

Wednesday, October 28, 1998

By Gary Steiner
SJSports Staff Writer

Delsea Boys Soccer has won its fourth straight Tri-County Championship, a first for the Royal Division. The Crusaders' boys team has a 12 - 3 - 2 mark with one game remaining in their 1998 regular season schedule. The three loses occurred against #6 Moorestown, #7 Ocean City, and #1 Cherry Hill East.

The Cherry Hill East game was the most exciting game of the year. The Cougars came away with a 2 - 1 victory, as Mark Lewis scored twice for East, both times assisted by Jay Joyce. Delsea outplayed East, but East used their potent counter play in the middle of the second half to put Delsea away. Delsea outshot the Cougars 15 to 9, but keeper Dan DiBruno came up big, time after time. Delsea Coach Vince Nestore commented, "If it wasn't for DiBruno we would have scored 4 or 5 goals. This kid is the real deal. I'm happy with our play, but disappointed that the boys couldn't bring home the win. This is a great tune-up for the States."

John Epley (Sr.) leads Delsea in goals and assists from his mid-field position (22 goals, 12 assists). Next is Ken Muits (Jr.) with 7 goals and 9 assists, Tom Porter (Fr.) with 7 goals and 3 assists, and back from a 7 game injury is T.J. Velykis (Sr.) with 5 goals and 5 assists.

Key new players this year for the Crusaders have been Porter, Chris Reska (Jr.), Dave Butenewicz (So.), Dean Minton (So.), Matt Hardy (So.), and T.C. McConnell (So.).

Delsea is seeded first in Group 3 and will also be playing Haddonfield in the first round of the South Jersey Coaches Tournament. Date Saturday, Oct. 31 at Scout Field in Haddonfield, time 2:00 pm.