Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 26, 1991 TAG: 9102260023
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
It is the sound of balls being dribbled. But the dribblers are using their feet instead of their hands. The Radford University soccer team is taking advantage of the empty gym to get ready for an upcoming indoor tournament.
And the players don't mind finishing up around midnight or so. They all relish the thought of getting a chance to play some soccer.
"[The late practices] don't faze me at all," said Jorge Crespin, a freshman walk-on on last year's varsity team. "I'll play at any time at all. I've got an early schedule but it doesn't affect me."
Said Keith Darden: "I guess its the only time we could practice. It's good for us."
About 30 players took part in the indoor practices. They included soccer team members trying to maintain their skills, wannabees trying to earn a tryout with the team, and seniors and non-team members who just enjoy playing soccer.
"[I'm here] so coach will take a look at me," said Kam Momeni, a freshman who played at Longwood before transferring to Radford.
Said Jawed Sanie, who played for the Highlanders as a freshman: "I'm just here for the fun of it. That's about it."
Fun is the obvious theme. After the obligatory stretching and drills, the players were divided into five squads and the scrimmaging began - first without goalies using traffic cones as goals, later with goalies and goals defined by trash cans.
The competition includes almost as much bantering as ball handling. But it gets the job done.
"It's a good prep for upcoming tournaments," said junior John Magnesson. "And it's great I get to touch the ball this time of year."
The late-night practices are part of coach Don Staley's strategy for keeping soccer in the right perspective.
"I've de-emphasized indoor and spring since I've been here," said Staley, who took over as head coach of the Highlanders in 1986. "I believe the season - the outdoor fall season - is what it's all about."
To get ready for its off-season action, Radford will practice a couple of hours a day the week before the tournament, after the nightly academic study halls. Then the team takes to the soccer field, usually with success.
The Highlanders played in three indoor tournaments this year. They finished third in a 10-team field at the William and Mary Invitational in late January. Teams went to the Towson State Invitational and the James Madison tournament in mid-February.
In the spring, Radford will play outdoors in the Carolina Shootout on March 1 and 2 at Coastal Carolina. And then comes a match against Wake Forest.
by CNB