THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 3, 1995 TAG: 9506030209
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
With 20 seconds left in regulation, West Springfield's Kelly Rash scored to put an end to Cox's dream season in Friday's semifinal of the girls state soccer tournament at Ocean Lakes.
The Falcons, making their first ever semifinal appearance, fell 3-2 after a brilliant first-half showing.
Cox (17-3-2) pounded 10 shots in the opening 40 minutes and took an early lead when Kirsty Hale scored 9:11 into the game. Hale sent a rocket from the endline at keeper Dani DeSerio, who made a diving save. But, Hale beat her on the recovery with a quick leftfooted rebound shot.
The Spartans (16-3-0) launched three shots - they managed only four for the half - before Liz Coon gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead heading into intermission. Coon nailed a direct kick from 25 yards out that DeSerio appeared to save. However, the officials ruled the ball beyond the plain and awarded Cox a goal.
The Spartans, who won state championships in 1991, 1992 and 1993, came alive in the second half, outshooting the Falcons, 10-4.
``West Springfield came out stronger,'' Cox coach Terri Sawyer said. ``It took us a little bit to try and get back to our level of play.
``I told them at halftime they had to remember that this team would come back. I told them to play like it was a 0-0 game. We just got taken out of our rhythm.''
Also, West Springfield coach Jim Abt gave his team something to think about at the break.
``To come this far and play that bad in the first half was pretty disappointing,'' Abt said. ``I told them they could either roll over and play dead or come out fighting.''
The Spartans connected at the 30:50 mark when Cox keeper Laura McFerrin mishandled Carin Carra's 40-yard shot.
On the ensuing kickoff, West Springfield regained possession and went charging back at McFerrin. Bonnie Trader sent the ball flying at her, but McFerrin made a diving save in front of the plain to hold the Spartans off for the moment.
But with 6:09 left to play, Trader blasted a loose ball from six yards out into the left corner of the net to make it 2-2. The Falcons nearly broke through with 2:24 remaining, but a charging DeSerio managed to pick off Robin Dwyer's breakaway attempt.
Two minutes later Rash blasted her game-winner by McFerrin, who fell to the ground in disbelief.
``We were tired,'' Hale said. ``We got out there and played such a great first half, then it was like exhaustion.
``(We) were a little shocked and then we had 20 seconds left. We tried.''
Added Liz Coon: ``They just stepped up their play, and we didn't.''
The Spartans will meet C.D. Hylton, making its first appearance in the state playoffs, in today's 2 p.m. final at Ocean Lakes.
In other semifinal action:
C.D. Hylton 1, Robinson 0: The Bulldogs' (19-1-1) Carrie Cunningham took a misplayed direct kick and converted it into a goal 11:01 into the second half for an upset over the defending Group AAA state champion Lady Rams (16-3-1).
``That ball wasn't supposed to come to me,'' Cunningham said. ``I thought the keeper was going to get it. I think it surprised her, but I'll take it.'' ILLUSTRATION: GARY C. KNAPP
Katie Kubic of Cox, right, and Katherine Evey of West Springfield
battle at the state girls soccer tournament.
by CNB