THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 19, 1996 TAG: 9609170132
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 90 lines
WELCOME TO TIDEWATER Conference soccer, where the goal is to score goals.
Defending champion Hampton Roads Academy returns six players who scored at least seven goals last season. The Navigators' attack is so potent that Andy Ross, the team's leading returning scorer with 13 goals, has been moved to the back.
Then there is Nansemond-Suffolk's Jay Habel. He scored 21 goals last season and isn't being moved anywhere. Habel up took up where he left off with a goal in the Saints' opener, a 2-1, non-conference win over Norfolk Christian.
Habel isn't the only guy with gaudy stats. Norfolk Collegiate's Bobby Mitchell scored nearly 20 goals last season and Norfolk Christian's Joe Kim scored 10.
Predicted order of finish: 1. HRA; 2. Norfolk Collegiate; 3. Nansemond-Suffolk; 4. Catholic 5. Norfolk Christian; 6. Cape Henry; 7. Norfolk Academy; 8. Peninsula Catholic; 9. Walsingham.
Capsule previews of South Hampton Roads teams:
CAPE HENRY
Coach: Ed Faubert
1995 record: 6-7-1
Top returnees: Matt Dancigers, Sr., back; Brian Luoma, So., back; Kyle Fellenbaum, Sr., forward; Don Patterson, Sr., keeper; Matt Henderson, Sr., back; Dan Cashman, Sr., back; Nick Schliske, Sr., midfield.
Overview: Another competitive season for the Dolphins. All-conference performers Dancigers and Luoma head a talented group of defenders. Patterson is a strength in goal. Fellenbaum (7 goals, 7 assists) spearheads the attack.
CATHOLIC
Coach: Barry Hackett
1995 record: 5-13-2
Top returnees: Matt Ellinwood, Sr., midfield; Joe Marconyak, Sr., stopper; David Bennett, So., sweeper.
Overview: With 10 returning starters new coach Hackett vows the Crusaders won't be pushovers. Defense is a strength. Transfer James Christianson and freshman Brian ``Boomer'' Wells add punch to a sleepy attack. The Crusaders have already surprised a few folks with a 5-1 defeat of Norfolk Collegiate and a 1-1 tie with Hampton Roads in non-conference games.
NORFOLK CHRISTIAN
Coach: Rich Rose
1995 record: 14-10-1
Top returnees: Kyle Roof, Sr., keeper; Joe Kim, Sr., forward; Chad Gray, Jr., midfield/forward; Zack Hardison, Jr., midfield/forward; Andy McNabb, Jr., midfield/back; Ben Doyle, Jr., forward/mifield. Greg Ash, Jr., back.
Overview: Eight starters are back from a team that reached the tournament semifinals. Kim (10 goals), Grey (7 goals, 7 assists), Hardison (7 goals, 4 assists) and Doyle (6 goals, 8 assists) are proven goalscorers and Roof (2.46 goals against average) is solid in goal. Defensive breakdowns hurt last year but the addition of junior Brett Olson, a transfer from Nevada, strengthens the backline.
NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK
Coach: Tom Gill
1995 record: 15-6
Top returnees: Jonathan Duman, Sr., midfield; Bryan Sharp, Sr., sweeper; Kyle Snow, Sr., back; Jay Habel, Jr., forward; Richard ``Ringo'' Starkey, Jr., keeper; Saunders Roesser, Jr., keeper, Davy Slack, Sr., forward.
Overview: The Saints hope to continue a stunning turnaround from 9th place in 1994 to runnerup last season. This year's strength starts in the back with Starkey and Roesser, who are so even they may platoon in goal. Sharp is the vocal leader of the defense and Snow the top marking back. On offense All-Tidewater midfielder Gabe Valencia is gone - Duman inherits his role - but Habel (21 goals, 7 assists) and Slack (5 goals, 14 assists) should be a potent 1-2 punch.
NORFOLK ACADEMY
Coach: Sean Wetmore
1995 record: 10-4-4
Top returnees: Barrie Chang, Sr., keeper; Vik Ramon, Sr., forward; Tim Oliver, Sr., stopper; Marcus Stanley, So., midfield.
Overview: Wetmore has his work cut out with only four starters back. The strength is on defense where Chang and Oliver made All-TCIS and All-Prep League last fall. Wetmore predicts a breakthrough season for Ramon.
NORFOLK COLLEGIATE
Coach: Jim Snodgrass
1995 record:
Top returnees: William Karangelen, Sr., keeper; Bobby Mitchell, Jr., striker; Craig Irwin, Sr., sweeper; Noah Stockton, Sr., midfielder; Marc Gauthier, Jr., back; Andy Kemp, Sr., back.
Overview: Veteran coach Snodgrass returns for his 21st season after a -year's absence. Mitchell, a state team player, and Irwin lead a prolific attack. Gauthier was the school's top athlete last year as a sophomore and Karangelen is capable of making the spectacular save in goal. If the defense gels in front him the Oaks should be in the thick of the race. ILLUSTRATION: File photo
Jay Habel, left, is expected to star for Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. by CNB