Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 6, 1993 TAG: 9310060183
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR.
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
"We got shafted," Staley exclaimed.
Never mind that the Highlanders are 10-0 heading into a key Big South Conference match-up tonight at UNC Greensboro, or that they've outscored the opposition 43-2, or that they've recorded more goals (as stated, 43) than they've allowed shots (41) - they're still not considered one of the top 10 teams in the Central Region, according to the coaches who rank the teams.
Actually, Radford is mentioned in the regional rankings, but you have to squint at the fine print.
"We're `also receiving votes,' " said Staley. "This is the buddy system at work. You'll notice that the ones in the rankings are the ones on the [voting] committee."
Staley is particularly rankled that George Washington is ranked eighth in the region with a 6-5 record.
"That's hard for me to accept," he said.
The funny thing is, Staley couldn't be happier to rank on the rankings.
In his nine years of coaching both the Radford women and men, Staley has kept more things stirred up than Julia Child with a full stovetop.
When Radford's women go to Greensboro for a match that will decide the Big South title, they'll feel like they have something to prove.
Being 10-0 and unranked "makes us mad," said senior forward Sue Williams. "It makes us want to work harder."
The schedule also gets harder:
After an admittedly cushy start, Radford plays UNCG tonight, then takes on ranked teams George Mason and Virginia in the coming weeks.
"I'm not going to lie to anybody, the schedule was set up for us to be 10-0," said Staley.
"I felt it was important for us to get off to a positive start and feel confident about ourselves."
A win tonight would make the Highlanders even more confident.
It would also erase some painful memories of a year ago, when Radford was humiliated by UNC Greensboro 4-1 in a disappointing 11-8-1 season.
"Greensboro demoralized us last year," said senior back Laura Topolski.
"I felt like the lowest form of life [after that loss]."
Things have turned around this season behind a powerful offense led by Williams, perhaps the leading candidate for the Big South's first-ever player of the year award, and an impenetrable defense featuring Topolski, the reigning Big South player of the week.
Williams turned an all-time hat trick over the weekend in a 3-0 win over UMBC when she became Radford's career assists leader with 22.
She is already the Highlanders' all-time leader in goals (52) and points (126), and she has 13 goals and nine assists this year. She alone has taken more shots (43) than Radford's 10 opponents.
Williams, a native of Medford, N.J., has more offensive help this year. Jennifer Capece has eight goals, and Melissa Gaitka and Melissa Belrose each have six. Even Topolski, a defender, has a couple of scores.
"In past years, there was so much pressure on me to score," said Williams.
"Now, we have so many options we can turn to - midfielders, backs . . . even Laura."
Truth is, Radford hasn't needed all of that scoring. The defense has tossed eight shutouts, and freshman goalkeeper Amy Pseja has 28 saves in 10 games.
Radford is also getting an assist from former Highlander standout Karen McGrath, who became Radford's first-ever full-time women's assistant coach this season. She's been given much of the credit for keeping the program in order when Staley has to tend to his inexperienced men's team, which is struggling through a 2-8-1 season.
"Karen has made the difference," said Staley.
Staley has had some celebrated run-ins with assistant coaches, some of whom Staley believed lacked the professionalism the job required.
After one Staley aide made a habit of leaving dirty laundry on the floor of the coach's office, he was told by the boss that not only should he find another place for his dirty clothes, but also for the clothes he happened to be wearing at the time.
With McGrath on staff, maybe Staley won't go through assistants like underwear.
"It's the first time in a long time I've had an assistant coach I've actually liked," Staley said.
He likes this team, too.
"We don't want to know what it's like to lose," said Topolski.
\ IN RADFORD:\ Men's soccer - Oct. 13, Winthrop, 7 p.m.; Oct. 16, Charleston Southern, 3 p.m.; Oct. 17, Howard, 2 p.m.\ Women's soccer - Oct. 15, Monmouth, 7 p.m.; Oct. 16, Charleston Southern, 1 p.m.; Oct. 19, Campbell, 7 p.m.\ Field hockey - Thursday, VCU, 4 p.m.; Oct. 19, Appalachian State, 3:30 p.m.\ Volleyball - Oct. 15-16, Conference Weekend.
Ralph Berrier Jr. covers sports for the Roanoke Times & World-News' New River Valley bureau.
by CNB