THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 31, 1996 TAG: 9608310720
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 48 lines
Virginia Wesleyan lost two top players to graduation, but the perennial power can never be counted out of the Division III race.
All-American Evan Whitson, who scored 16 goals with nine assists last season, and Jim Hickling, who added eight goals and six assists, were lost to graduation, leaving a void at forward. In four years, Whitson tallied a school-record 51 goals.
However, coach Sonny Travis annually overcomes key losses and advances to the NCAA tournament. This year figures to be no different.
The Marlins fill the gap with redshirt freshman Danny McVey and Matt Hasty at forward with senior Jeff Whitmarsh in their bid for a seventh consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.
McVey, the 1994 All-Tidewater player of the year, was sidelined last season with an injury. In 1994, he scored 28 goals in 14 games for Virginia Beach's Tallwood High to lead all group AAA high schools.
The core of the Marlins remains intact. The defense was one of the toughest in Division III last season, posting 17 shutouts in 22 games to push Virginia Wesleyan to 20-1-1 overall. The Marlins advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament.
Goalkeeper Scott Morgenroth, who earned second-team All-American and first team All-ODAC honors last season, posted a 0.34 goals against average for the season. Senior sweeper Dwain Ayres anchors the defense that includes All-ODAC senior Che Clark, Tony Domenick, Nate Hatcher and Tommy Hron.
Sophomores Tommy Hipple and James Brasier and freshmen Matt Magee, Jacob Plett, Brandon Spontak and Tony Vardaro also could see playing time at defense.
All-American junior Gary DePalma powers the Marlins from midfield. DePalma, the 1995 ODAC player of the year, is deadly when attacking and virtually impossible to bypass. Senior Larry Romaine, junior Matt Bouton, sophomore Jeremy Lehr and freshman Matt Lantagne will also see time at midfield.
Junior Keith Cormier, sophomore Marc Tischer and freshman Scott Wheatley add depth at the position.
Virginia Wesleyan opens its season Sept. 7-8 in the Blue Marlin Umbro Classic tournament against Elizabethtown College and Fredonia State University. ODAC play begins Sunday, Sept. 22 against Emory & Henry College. The Marlins went 11-0 in the conference last season.
Travis, the 1995 Virginia Intercollegiate Soccer Association coach of the year, has compiled a record of 118-18-15 in seven seasons at Virginia Wesleyan and has a history of leading the team to the NCAA tournament. Last season, the Marlins were eliminated 2-1 by Methodist College in the regional final. by CNB