THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 12, 1995 TAG: 9510100092
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
THE SATISFACTION of a ball kicked out of danger.
The exhaustion following a tough game.
The knowledge that only one goal has slipped through your defense.
For Norfolk's Nate Hatcher, these are some of the simple pleasures in life.
Hatcher, a sophomore back for the Virginia Wesleyan soccer team, spent his youth honing his talents at Norfolk Christian and in local summer league programs. The All-TCIS and All-Tidewater performer opted to enter the Marlins program because of its proximity to home and its solid Division III soccer reputation in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
``I liked the soccer program,'' Hatcher said. ``I like being close to home. I live on campus, so it's like I'm away but I'm still close, I like that.''
Hatcher can't remember life before soccer. He started playing when he was 5, and he has been at it ever since.
``I like it,'' he said. ``I was decent at it, so I kept at it. It's a lot of fun, and I like the competition.''
At Virginia Wesleyan, he has had lots of competitive encounters. The Marlins compiled a 20-2-1 mark last year, ending the season with a 1-0 double-overtime loss in the NCAA Division III South Region championship game.
This year, the momentum has continued. The Marlins are off to an 9-0-1 start with a No. 9 national ranking in Division III through Oct. 4.
The Marlins' success is more dramatic due to the local nature of the team. Eleven local players are rostered and 10 see playing time. Danny McVey of Virginia Beach's Tallwood High, The Virginian-Pilot player of the year last spring, is out for the season with an injury. Six starters are from the area, including Hatcher. David Zook, a senior midfielder from Norfolk Christian, also sees playing time on the squad.
Marlins coach Sonny Travis stresses local recruiting, attracting standout South Hampton Roads area players and delighting fans. He views Hatcher as one of the cornerstones of the team.
``He's had a solid season,'' Travis said. ``I think he's one of the best stoppers in the ODAC, maybe in Division III, right now. He's a good marker and he's exceptional in the air. We've got a dynamite defense and it's a lot of local guys.''
Hatcher judges himself by his daily play, not his season achievements and statistics.
``I just want to go out on the field each game and play the best I can,'' he said. ``To know I couldn't have played any better.''
He thinks that his role on the soccer field helps him develop as a person off the field. The basic requirements of successful soccer teams translate into career skills.
``It helps you work with other people, that type of thing,'' he said. ``And discipline, too. Mainly, just to work with other people and to discipline yourself.''
This concept of teamwork has put the Marlins in position to create their own destiny. Hatcher and his teammates are focused on their goal of winning the national championship. To get there, they will have to maintain the unity and poise they have demonstrated all year.
``We just have to work together,'' Hatcher said. ``Everybody has got to be on the same page. We've just got to click. We've definitely got the tools.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
From left, Jim Hickling, Che Clark, Nate Hatcher and Ryan Crooks are
among the players who have helped Virginia Wesleyan to a No. 9
national ranking.
Marlins coach Sonny Travis says Nate Hatcher is having a ``solid
season.''
by CNB