THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995 TAG: 9510290203
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Virginia Wesleyan's defense continued to stonewall opponents Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Emory & Henry in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship game.
The shutout extended the Marlins' school single-season record to 15.
Goaltender Scott Morgenroth credits the defense for the Marlins' success. This season, Virginia Wesleyan (17-0-1, 11-0-0) has allowed only three goals.
``It's been great,'' Morgenroth said. ``The defense has been ready. We've been producing up top. Jim Hickling and Matt DeOrsey have been tremendous at stopping the balls, and it goes from there.''
Morgenroth does not get his hands on the ball as often as some goaltenders, which forces him to work harder to maintain both his skill level and his concentration. To stay in the game mentally, he talks to the players and helps set up plays.
``A lot of goalkeeping is mental,'' he said. ``You have to stay focused. I like the game where I don't touch the ball.''
Saturday was almost one of those games. The Marlins held off Wasps challenges outside the box and seldom forced Morgenroth to charge. When he did, he beat out opponents before they could fire a shot.
``We're all on the same page mentally,'' sophomore defender Nate Hatcher said. ``We know what each other is going to do. We've just played well together.''
Hatcher not only protected Morgenroth, but also challenged offensively. He took a corner kick from Larry Romaine and nailed the back of the net for the Marlins' first goal.
Hatcher added the Marlins' have depth defensively. Currently they are without defender Che Clark, sidelined with an ankle injury.
Evan Whitson hammered in an insurance goal with 13:48 remaining in the game.
The physical contest produced more yellow cards than goals. Four Wasps and two Marlins were penalized.
Virginia Wesleyan coach Sonny Travis said the rough game prepared the Marlins for the playoffs. Qualifying teams and game sites will be announced late tonight.
``It was a hard-fought match,'' Travis said. ``It was a tough battle and a classic championship. Two good teams went at it today.
``It was very much like a national-championship first-round game. Everything was on the line. The team that makes the mistakes will lose.''
It is the Marlins' third ODAC title in five years. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
TAMARA VONINSKI/The Virginian-Pilot
Emory & Henry goalie Steven Cassiday, foreground, and the Marlins'
Evan Whitson collide.
by CNB