THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 19, 1996 TAG: 9604170141
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
FOR THE PAST three years, Indian River's Jason Perry and Pon Phith, now seniors, haven't enjoyed much success on the soccer field.
The Braves have struggled just to have a .500 season, and last year, they posted a dismal 3-8 record.
But all that has changed.
Indian River, 4-1 overall headed into this week's tough schedule against Western Branch and Beach District foe Bayside, is off to its best start ever.
The Braves' only loss came at the hands of Poquoson, a 1995 Group AA state semi-finalist. The game was tied at 1-1 with 10 minutes to play. Then Phith, the team's second-leading scorer and assist leader, was sidelined by an injury. The Islanders then scored three goals in the game's final minutes to post a 4-1 victory.
``We've been very fortunate,'' Indian River coach Tom Banford said. ``Our athletic director has allowed us to travel over to the Peninsula and play some teams that Indian River hasn't played in the past, and it's helped the program.''
Banford, in his first season as head coach, also had his team compete in a winter indoor league at the Jewish Community Center in Norfolk to help bring the Braves together.
In the indoor league, which matched the Braves against teams from all over South Hampton Roads, Indian River notched a 13-0 record in the regular season and won another seven games in tournaments elsewhere.
That, Perry said, made all the difference.
``It was a lot of fun,'' said the senior, who plans to attend Old Dominion University in the fall and hopes to walk on to the soccer team. ``It was a good experience. We found out we could accomplish something. It hyped us up and got us ready to play (in the spring).''
Despite the Braves' poor record in previous years, Perry and Phith insist that the team isn't surprised at its early success.
``I always knew we had a good team,'' Phith said. ``I told everybody we were good. We've grown every year together. But this year, we have a new coach and a new system. We care more and are dedicated. We just want to try to take it all the way and give our all.
``We weren't all that last year and people didn't give us any respect. We're just trying to get a plaque on the wall.''
Added Perry: ``I'm sure that people still have their doubts. We're just trying to show 'em a little something.''
The Braves' stats show more than that.
Through five games, Indian River has outscored its opponents 25-9. That's the third-highest total goals scored by a South Hampton Roads team and the 5.0 goals-per-game is the highest average in the area.
``A combination of things have come together,'' Banford said.
But just like every team, a lot of things have come apart, too.
In a win over Denbigh, the Braves lost defensive standout Karl Smith to a broken leg, thus making an already small roster smaller.
Indian River's roster is composed of four seniors, three juniors and 10 sophomores and freshmen combined. The inability to substitute liberally has made the Braves prone to injury and lacking fresh legs when the game's on the line in the final minutes. However, what they lack in quantity, they've made up in quality. Seven starters also play select soccer during the offseason.
Perry leads the defense from the sweeper position and, according to Banford, has directed the backfield and made key plays to keep the opponents' scoring minimal.
``We're trying to stay solid,'' Perry said. ``We're making sure we help each other and are always talking. We had a lot of holes in the past and now, we're growing together.''
And so is the offense. Sophomore Keston Smith leads the Braves with 11 goals, but Phith, Banford said, is involved in almost every goal scored.
He has five goals and a team-leading four assists.
``Every play starts with Pon,'' Banford said.
Ever humble, Phith says Keston Smith is the key man.
``I just try to find Keston,'' he said. ``He's the finishing man.''
And how 'bout the Braves? How will they finish?
``Come and talk to us after we take the district,'' Phith said. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Jason Perry
Pon Phith
by CNB