THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 21, 1995 TAG: 9506210692
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Since early in the season, the rap against the Hampton Roads Mariners soccer team has been an inability to put the ball in the goal on a consistent basis.
After scoring only two goals on 30 shots against Roanoke last weekend, the need for a forward with a nose for the net became a top priority, so the Mariners went out and got one of the best, signing former University of Virginia standout Nate Friends to a contract Tuesday.
``Nate is one of the better athletes coming out of Division I soccer this year and has a history of playing well in big matches,'' Mariners coach Sonny Travis said. ``At this late stage, signing him is a bonus.''
Friends will make his debut with Hampton Roads on Sunday when the Mariners host New Orleans at First Colonial High School.
A native of Great Falls, Friends was part of a U.Va. dynasty that won a record four consecutive national championships. He ranks sixth on the Cavaliers' all-time list in both points (88) and goals (36).
As a senior in 1994, Friends was second on the team with 16 goals and 11 assists and was a second team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.
Known as an outstanding athlete and clutch performer, Friends was at his best in the postseason. His 35 career points in the postseason are a U.Va. record, and he scored all five of the Cavaliers' goals in the 1993 NCAA semifinals and final.
``I've seen Nate in the NCAA finals for the last three years, and he's been outstanding,'' Travis said. ``Signing him is a definite step towards us trying to make the playoffs.''
In fifth place in the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues' Atlantic Division, Hampton Roads (9-2) has long needed a player with size in the front line. Unlike forwards Darren Eales and Wayne Pratt, Friends is a tall (6-2), rangy player who excels in the air, qualities that Travis admits the Mariners have lacked.
``He's a very effective attacker, really good in the air, good on head balls,'' said midfielder Brandon Ward, who faced Friends in the 1994 NCAA tournament when Ward's Indiana University team lost to the Cavaliers in the final. ``He's a skilled player who played on a great team and still managed to stand out. He'll have a big impact.''
Since graduating in May, Friends, 21, has spent time preparing for his law school entrance exams - although he took the test June 11 he still plans to take a year off from school - and training with the Olympic team pool. Several clubs in the USISL made him offers, but Friends opted for Hampton Roads because of the team's willingness to accommodate his schedule.
``Most teams wanted me right after graduation, all or nothing. The Mariners were more flexible,'' said Friends, who will leave the team from July 19 to August 1 to participate in the Olympic Festival. He will miss three games in that span.
Although Hampton Roads hopes Friends' name will boost falling attendance, Travis maintains that his newest player shouldn't be seen as the Mariners' savior.
``We're not expecting Nate Friends to come in and carry this team. We're already a good team, and we're winning,'' he said. ``All we're hoping for is that he'll be a good complement with Darren (Eales) and give us some things athletically that we don't already have.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Nate Friends
by CNB