JOHN KOVACH | Colleges Area players give Thiel one of top defenses, offenses

GREENVILLE -- Despite the Thiel College football team's lackluster record, the Tomcats have one of the top defenses and offenses in the Presidents' Athletic Conference.
Entering last Saturday's game at State University of New York-Brockport, Thiel struggled to a 3-5 record, including 2-3 in the PAC.
Yet the Tomcats' defense ranked No. 1 in scoring (17.6 points per game) in the PAC, and No. 2 in both passing (149.6 yards behind Bethany's 146.5) and total defense (302.4 behind Washington & amp; Jefferson's 267.7).
And Thiel also had the No. 1 rushing offense in the PAC (180.2 yards per game).
So overall, the Tomcats definitely has been improving steadily under second-year coach Jack Leipheimer, a native of Sharon. Last year in Leipheimer's debut, Thiel went 2-8, including 1-3 in the PAC.
Thiel will conclude this season Saturday at Alfred.
Salman sparkles
One of the reasons for the defensive success is Jason Salman, a senior defensive back from Western Reserve High, who led the PAC in interceptions through eight games with 0.62 per game or five totally.
He also was tied for No. 32 in the nation in NCAA Division III.
In addition, Salman had 27 tackles, including 19 solos stops, to rank No. 6 on the team.
But several other area players also have helped the Tomcats' defense to excel.
Robert Drake, a sophomore linebacker from Chaney High, is Thiel's second-leading tackler with 52 stops, including 27 solos.
And Kennard Davis, a sophomore defensive back from Farrell High, is tied for No. 3 in interceptions in the PAC with 0.50 per game or four overall. He also is Thiel's fourth-leading tackler with 33.5 stops, including 23 solos.
Last year, Davis had a PAC-best nine interceptions, while Drake and Davis were Thiel's top two tacklers with 86 and 78, respectively.
Dante Darby, a senior linebacker, leads the Tomcats in tackles with 53, including 35 unassisted.
Thiel's ground attack is led by Justin Napotnik, a junior tailback from Sharpsville High. Napotnik compiled 598 yards in 123 carries and three TDs for a 74.8-yard average per game.
Napotnik also was the Tomcats' top rusher last year with 480 yards in 100 attempts for 53.3-yard per-game average.
He has been reinforced by sophomore quarterback Daryl Moore with 346 yards in 77 carries for a 43.2-yard average and three TDs, and freshman running back Darious Thompson with 225 yards in 62 attempts for a 32.1-yard average and three TDs.
Moore also has passed for 905 yards on 74 of 161 for 113.1 yards per game and seven TDs, and is ranked No. 5 in the PAC.
Pascarella tops NCAC
HIRAM -- John Pascarella, a senior on the Hiram College football team from Ursuline High, leads the North Coast Athletic Conference in tackles by a defensive back, and ranks No. 5 in overall tackles by all positions.
Through seven games, Pascarella averaged 9.9 tackles per game with 69 total stops (37 solos and 32 assists), although the Terriers were winless over the span, including 0-4 in the NCAC.
Teammate Brad Maguth, a senior linebacker, ranked No. 3 in tackles per game by all positions with a 12.1 average with 85 tackles overall (22 solos and 6 assists); and also No. 2 among linebackers.
Last year, Maguth and Pascarella also were Hiram's top two tacklers with 55.5 and 46 stops, respectively; and both made All-NCAC.
McFarland sets mark
NORTH CANTON -- Kristi McFarland, a junior goalkeeper for the Walsh University women's soccer team from Hubbard High, has set a school record for career shutouts.
As of last week, McFarland registered three shutouts so far this season to give her a school-record 12 for her career, passing previous leaders Tanya Craig and Francesca Komarek who had 11 each.
McFarland, a three-year starter majoring in accounting finance, also ranked No. 5 in the Mid-States Football Association Mideast League in goals against average with 1.32. She has allowed 16 goals in 12 games.
No. 1 is sophomore Rebecca Fuller of Houghton with a 0.60 by allowing nine goals in 15 games, four of them shutouts.
Walsh, coached by Ed Vargo, had a 9-9 record, including 2-4 in the MSFA Mideast, entering last Saturday's game at Mount Vernon Nazarene.
Also with the Walsh team is Jill Sopko, a freshman defender from Austintown Fitch.