Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 27, 1990 TAG: 9003262002
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV9 EDITION: NEW RIVER
SOURCE: CHRIS BACHELDER SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: B LENGTH: Long
Blacksburg has won the New River District every year soccer has been played and last season won the first ever Group AA state soccer championship.
This season, Blacksburg will have five returning starters and figures to be powerful once again.
"We hope to be competitive," said sixth-year head coach Pat Johnson. "We have some strong kids, and hopefully we can stay healthy.
"I feel like we have our work cut out for us and, just like everybody says, we'll play them one at a time. We approach all of our seasons like that."
Johnson considers offense a team strength. He's counting on contributions from, among others, seniors John Cheynet, Darren Cross, Andre Pyle and Kyla Lacy in the forward and midfield positions.
"Defensively, I don't feel we're as strong as we were last year, but it's coming along," Johnson said. "By the time we get into the season, we hope to get stronger."
Junior Eric Baumgartner has played effectively in his debut in the net, and senior Jon Bohland and junior Kurt Stromberg should help tighten the Blacksburg defense.
A glance at the outlook for the other area teams:
\ CHRISTIANSBURG: The Blue Demons will field an experienced team with eight returning starters - good reason for optimism that they will improve a 3-10-1 1989 finish.
Second-year coach Sam Grushal has been trying to lay a sound foundation for a program with a lackluster history.
"We look better than last year," Grushal said. "Last season, the object was to learn the sport. We worked on the basics.
"This season, we're working more on team tactics instead of the technical points. We're hoping for a break-even - if not a winning - season."
Senior David Thomas, an aggressive forward, and Charlie Lisanti, a senior midfielder, should combine for scoring and leadership.
Tom Bain and Ernie King will add speed and skill, and much-improved Rick Clifton, a junior, will keep the goal.
\ GILES: The Spartans finished 6-3-1 last season, and although they lost some valuable seniors from last year's team, second-year coach Mac McKenzie has bright hopes for the season ahead.
"The kids are looking good," McKenzie said. "They're showing a lot of spirit and class. I'm really proud of all of them."
McKenzie is depending on a strong offensive team.
"We're going to have to score because we're going to be scored on," he said.
Senior strikers Chris Clark and Craig Gibson will shoulder much of the offensive load.
Though the defense may be shaky, McKenzie has been encouraged in practice by the play of juniors Craig Goudy and Brian Pfister at goal. Both are newcomers to the position and will share time in the net.
Giles does not begin its season until an April 3 meeting with George Wythe. In the meantime, McKenzie is emphasizing conditioning.
He said the team suffered crucial breakdowns late last season, which he attributed to not being in proper soccer shape.
\ PULASKI COUNTY: After losing seasons in the program's first two years, things may be looking up for the Cougars.
"I anticipate that we will be fairly competitive," said second-year head coach Jim Couch.
By "competitive," Couch means he hopes Pulaski County can settle into the middle of the pack in the Roanoke Valley District, where the top teams possess established and successful programs.
A scrimmage victory over Radford High gives Couch reason to be hopeful for his young team, which has only four seniors.
Couch said he is pleased with his offense's scoring potential, a former weakness. Junior midfielders Scott McNeil and Kirk Jennings and senior forward and co-captain Warren Spradlin will key the offense.
The strength of the defense is new goalie Mark Barnes, a junior. Barnes had 17 saves against Radford in the scrimmage.
Otherwise, the Cougar defense may need some work.
"I've detected some weaknesses," Couch said. "We need to maintain our positions and be patient in dealing with an offensive strike."
But whatever happens in the season, the biggest Pulaski County soccer upset may already have occurred. Somehow, the Cougars have obtained permission to play at Dobson Stadium, previously the exclusive domain of the high school's football team.
\ RADFORD: The Bobcats have finished second in the New River the past two seasons under the guidance of coach Mike Greco.
Last season, Radford was an impressive 10-2-1, but 12 players were lost to graduation, and Greco is dealing with a youth movement for 1990.
"Our weakness is definitely youth," Greco said. "We've got young, talented students with a lot of enthusiasm. They're a bunch of hard-working kids, but just inexperienced."
Sophomore Joseph Pugliese, who scored both goals in a 3-2 loss to Lord Botetourt last Wednesday, leads the Bobcat offense. John Richardson, one of only four seniors, is a do-it-all guy who plays many different positions, and sophomore Kevin Hartman tends the goal.
Greco considers it a rebuilding year but looks for improvement as the season continues and his players pick up experience.
by CNB