Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 8, 1993 TAG: 9306080069
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"We lost to them as freshmen," said forward Todd Lyons. "We don't want to lose to them again."
The Indians (17-0-2) get a chance Wednesday to do something about that loss in the state finals on penalty kicks three years ago. They travel to Fredericksburg to play the unbeaten Chargers (17-0) at 7 p.m. for the state Group AA title.
Both teams will be going for their second state title. Blacksburg won the initial championship in 1989, then lost the crown to Chancellor in 1990.
Also, it will be the Indians' fourth appearance in the finals. They lost to Park View of Sterling last year.
"We've got the two best teams in the state going for the title," said Blacksburg coach Shelley Blumenthal. "That's what you want."
In Chancellor, the Indians will find an opponent very much like themselves. The Chargers have a high-powered offense and a very stingy defense.
"We're going to have to pick up our game, take it up to another level," said midfielder Chris Evans. "We can't let down or they will take it to us."
The Chargers are led by senior striker Brody McRay, who has scored 25 goals.
Their other offensive weapons include forward Matt Hopkins, a junior, and midfielders Jeremy Fisher and Dwight Peck, both seniors. That trio has combined for about 20 goals.
Defensively, Chancellor's objective is to make the other team work hard for its scoring opportunities. Thus goalkeeper Mike Gerber, a senior, has only allowed four goals this year.
And the senior-laden team also has memories of that evening three years ago. Only their thoughts are much more pleasant. But it also means the Chargers are aware of whom they are playing.
"Blacksburg is a very well-coached team," said Chancellor coach Mike Webb.
"They always come up with some outstanding players, they always have. And Blacksburg probably has the most outstanding tradition in Group AA soccer. They've been in the finals four out of the five years. That speaks for itself. So if you want to win the state title, you have to beat Blacksburg."
Seven of those outstanding Blacksburg players were named all-Region IV: goal keeper Kevin Schug, backs Michael Dowdy and Jason Boyle, midfielders Evans and Augie Niles, and forwards Lyons and Ben Cherry.
Also, Evans and Lyons were the region's co-players of the year.
The Indians' depth of talent and physical conditioning have allowed them to take advantage of opponents in the second half. So far in the state tournament, Blacksburg has scored twice after intermission in each of its matches.
"We always come out very strong in the second half," explained Cherry. "We're looking to get a couple of goals."
Meanwhile, as teams prepare to stop Blacksburg's offensive pressure, who to stop is another matter. Five different players have scored for the Indians so far in the state tournament.
For the season, the team's scoring has been just as balanced. Lyons leads the team with 13 goals - including two in the state tournament. He also has five assists. Cherry has eight goals and five assists. And Evans has five goals and 17 assists.
Schug and Dowdy anchor a defense that has allowed only six goals all year. And in the post-season the Indians have gotten even more stingy with five straight shutouts.
by CNB