Penn State York Athletics

Coach: Rich Chilcoat
Assistant Coach: Ben Otterson
E-mail: rtc13@psu.edu
Semester: Fall

After a successful 2008 campaign, this year’s team set some very lofty goals for 2009: win the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) regular season, win the PSUAC tournament, and win the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championship. To most these goals may seem unrealistic but with nine returning starters and a talented freshmen recruiting class coming in, the team believed this was their year.

The pre-season showed promise as Penn State York lost a close non-conference friendly game against the sophomore/freshmen team from nationally ranked, Division 3 York College, beat Division 2 Valley Forge Christian, and tied reigning USCAA national champs Briarcliffe. These quality performances were followed by a dominant regular season where York went undefeated. During this run, York answered their skeptics with resounding victories against PSUAC powerhouses Hazleton (4-1) and Beaver (4-0).

The highlight of the regular season was York’s visit to rival Penn College where the match did not start as scripted. York allowed Penn to find their goal three times in the first twenty-five minutes before they settled down. Shortly after halftime, Steve Miller turned a wonderful cross from Cameron Beck past the Penn College keeper and the momentum was theirs. Over the final forty-five minutes, they controlled the pace of the game with Aldin Avdic scoring a gritty goal to tie the score and the game tying goal ninety seconds before the final whistle. As the two-ten minute overtime periods played out, York blasted away at the Penn College goal and was very unlucky to come away with a 3-3 draw. This was the first time Penn College had lost or tied a game in more than four years.

As the regular season completed, Penn State York was awarded the No. 1 seed in the PSUAC tournament. This seeding gave them the home field advantage throughout the playoffs, including the championship game. York’s undefeated home record was put to the test as Hazleton traveled south for the conference the semi-final. From the opening whistle, York came out to attack with Avdic scoring in the second minute. After giving up an eye opening tying goal, York answered Hazleton’s efforts with goals from Logan Shaffer and Nourdean Bentajar in a five minute span and a final goal from Tim Krohn to stamp their ticket to the conference final 4-1.

PSUAC Championship Game

In the conference, the top two seeds of the PSUAC advanced pitting the home team York against the reigning champs Penn College. In sloppy conditions, the teams delivered great performances with York having the better of play through the first forty-five minutes. After several great saves by the Penn College goalkeeper, this dominance resulted in close-range goal from Krohn from a pass from Avdic. In the second half, the play was more balanced with both teams having looks each other’s goal but after some tense final moments, York had won their first PSUAC championship in eleven years. After losing to Penn College in the final the past two seasons, this was a very special win for juniors Shaffer, John Suarez, Chris Jones, Joe Dizio, Tim Weikert and Matt Bieber.

USCAA National Championship Tournament

With the regular season and PSUAC tournament titles behind them, York headed north to Vermont to attend the USCAA National Championship tournament. In the opening game, #3 seeded York faced the #6 seed Concordia. The opening minutes were tense as Concordia attacked with wave after wave toward the York goal. Goalkeeper Joe Dizio and his defense stood tall holding Concordia even through the first forty-five minutes. Shortly after halftime, Concordia found the back of York’s goal. It was the wake-up call York needed as their season’s goals were in jeopardy. For the final thirty minutes, York pounded the Concordia goal hitting the woodwork and missing a few close range shots. In the final seconds, Bieber struck a volley toward goal was looked like it was the equalizer only to be blocked over the bar by the goalkeeper. York’s journey toward the national title had ended but their season was not over. In the consolation game, #2 ranked NHTI met York and after a very nice display of soccer, Bieber headed home a great pass from Krohn to equalize the score and both national ranked teams headed home with a season-ending draw.

Looking back, York finished the season with a 12-1-2 record, the regular season and tournament championship.

All-Americans Named

Krohn, Avdic and Steve Miller were recognized as first team All-Americans, Justin Shaffer was named as a second team All-American, Suarez was named as an Academic All-American and they received an All-tournament selection of Dizio. In addition, Krohn, Avdic, Miller and Dizio were also selected as All-Conference by the PSUAC.

The team achieved two of their three lofty pre-season goals and had numerous wonderful experiences they will not quickly forget. This season was a perfect storm consisting of returning juniors, experienced sophomores, and talented freshmen who look for another successful season in 2010.

*= Academic All-Conference

†= All-Conference PSUAC

Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) - All Conference

• Aldin Avdic
• Adam M. Beck
• David H. Brinkley
• Joseph D. Dizio

Coach: Rich Chilcoat
Assistant Coach: Ben Otterson
E-mail: rtc13@psu.edu
Semester: Fall

Education:

Attended Loyola College of Baltimore and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

Profession:

• Landscape Industry in sales and currently is the national sales manager for Davey Commercial Grounds Management where he manages and trains a team of salespeople across the country as well as work to develop relationships with clients on a regional and national basis.
• In 2012 working with the Maryland Chamber of Commerce to mentor small and medium size businesses to improve their sales and customer loyalty
• Played semi-professionally with Sunburst Soccer Club and won state and regional open-cup titles before retiring from competitive play to focus on coaching.

Coaching History:

• Head coach at Penn State York since 2002. As coach, the team was a conference finalist in the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) and in 2009 was the PSUAC Conference Champion. In 2009 and 2011 the York team won the PSUAC regular season championship and from 2008-11 has been nationally ranked in the top 10 of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).
• Head Coach F.C. York ’94 Elite U-17 girls’ premier season since 2009.  Team is ranked in the top fifteen in Pennsylvania.
• Head Coach F.C. York ’95 Elite U-16 boys’ premier tem.  Team is ranked in the top 5 in Pennsylvania and were State Cup Champion Semi-finalists in 2010 and 2011

• 1984-1987, Goalkeeper Susquehannock High School, Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. Two-time-time Y.C.I.A.A. county champion
• 1987-1990 ,Goalkeeper Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
• 1991-1993, Goalkeeper Sunburst S.C., Allentown, Pennsylvania. Open Cup Regional Finalist 

Accomplishments:

• 1987 York County Interscholastic Athletic Association (YCIAA) Player of the Year
• 1987 All York County selection
• 1987 All-State selection; third team
• 1987 All-American selection; regional
• 1990 All-Conference Academic selection; first team
• 1996 United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) “C” License
• 1997 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional Diploma
• 1999 NSCAA Advanced Regional Diploma
• 2004 NSCAA National Diploma – Distinction Selection
• 2007 NSCAA Advanced National Diploma
• 2008 Penn State University Athletic Association (PSUAC) Coach of the Year
• 2009 NSCAA Premier Diploma
• 2009 PSUAC Coach of the Year
• 2011 PSUAC Coach of the Year 

Additional Experience

• 2002-Current, Penn State York Soccer Camp Director
• 2003-Current, F.C. York Youth Academy Founder and Trainer

2010-11 Soccer Team

2009-10 Soccer Team