Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 28, 1990 TAG: 9005280121
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: By John SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They did - with ease.
Sunday at River's Edge Sport Complex, Star White completed a dominating weekend of soccer by beating Midlothian 3-0 to win the Under 19 Gold championship and its third straight Crestar championship.
In its four games, Star White defeated all-star teams from Midlothian, Fairfax, Kingsport, Tenn., and Bethesda, Md. The wins were by a combined scored of 29-1.
"I think this is the best soccer we've ever played," said striker Joe Basile, who scored twice in the championship game. "I'm sorry this is it, but at least we went out winners."
This year's showing was the best ever for the host teams. The Crestar hasn't been kind to the locals. The Under-19 team had been the only Roanoke team to win a championship until this year.
In addition to the Under-19, Roanoke Star 1974 White defeated the Greensboro Kickers 4-3 to win the 1974 Gold division. Two other Roanoke teams, the 1978 boys and Under-12 girls, made it to the championship games of their divisions.
In the Under-19 game, Roanoke seemed sluggish during the first 39 minutes as Midlothian controlled much of the play. Then, seconds before the half, Star White came to life.
Cave Spring High's Bobby Ashworth controlled a ball in the midfield and sent a leading pass to Sean Niday, a William Byrd student. Niday dribbled through the Midlothian defense and into the penalty box.
Midlothian's goalie made the right move by charging off the goal line to cut down the shooting angle, but Niday pushed a square pass to Basile (North Cross), who redirected it into the empty net for a 1-0 lead.
With a lead, Star White rediscovered its flow.
"We were tight," said coach Danny Beamer. "When we got the goal we relaxed a little."
Midway through the second half, Ashworth sent another leading ball into the attack zone. This time Basile controlled. After feinting two defenders to get into the box, Basile easily converted to make it 2-0.
Patrick Henry's Michael Eddy sealed the win by scoring from about 25 yards.
Next season, only Niday and sweeper Dee Dalton will be eligible for the Under-19 team. The next group will be hard-pressed to match the success of its predecessors.
"We'll have to adapt to the new players," said Niday. "There are some talented players on the 1973 and '74 teams. I think we'll have a chance, but we won't be the same caliber."
In the 1974 Gold championship, Mike Felton (Lord Botetourt) scored three goals, but Roanoke still needed to go to penalty kicks to beat Greensboro.
Trailing 3-2 after Felton headed in a cross from Sean McFadden, the Kickers got the tying goal with about five minutes remaining to force the showdown.
After the first three shooters for both teams converted, Greensboro missed.
Ryan Cook made his penalty kick for Roanoke, and another Greensboro missed sealed the win for the Star White.
Championship results from Sunday's Crestar Festival Tournament championship games: BOYS
1980 Gold: Prince William 2, Charlotte, N.C. 0; 1980 Blue: Winston-Salem Twins (N.C) 4, Laurel, Md 1; 1979 Gold: Raleigh, N.C. 3, Park Sharon (N.C.) 0; 1979 Blue: Guil-Rand (N.C.) 3, Reams 0; 1978 Gold: Winston-Salem 3, Roanoke Star White 2 (penalty kicks); 1978 Blue: Waldorf, Md. 4, F.C. Richmond 1; 1978 Red: Kernersville Comets (N.C.) 4, H.B. Hornets (N.C.) 0; 1977 Gold: Raleigh 2, St. Giles, S.C. 1 (penalty kicks); 1977 Blue: Winston-Salem Twins 2, Chester 0; 1977 Red: F.C. Richmond 4, Richmond Strikers 0; 1976 Gold: Winston-Salem 4, N. Montgomery (Md.) 1; 1976 Blue: Kernersville 5, New River 76ers 0; 1976 Red: High Point, N.C. 1, Pocoshock 0; 1975 Gold: Twin City Force 2, Atlantic 1; 1975 Blue: New Bern, N.C. 4, Kernersville 2; 1974 Gold: Roanoke Star White 4, Greensboro Kickers (N.C) 3 (penalty kicks); 1973 Gold: Winston-Salem 3, Fairfield 2 (penalty kicks); Under 19 Gold: Roanoke Star White 2, Midlothian 0. GIRLS
Under 12: Raleigh 1, Roanoke Star 0; Under 14: Raleigh 7, Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C. 0; Under 16: Metuchen Edison (N.J.). I think this is the best soccer we've ever played. I'm sorry this is it, but at least we went out winners. Joe Basile Star White 19 striker
by CNB