Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 19, 1991 TAG: 9103190104
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Cavaliers (4-0) jumped from No. 3 to No. 1 in Monday's U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association weekly poll, thanks in large part to a 17-10 victory over No. 2 Loyola.
UVa earlier had been ranked No. 1 in football, men's soccer, women's soccer and women's basketball.
The women's basketball team still has a shot at an NCAA championship, although the Cavaliers were ranked No. 2 in the final Associated Press poll.
UVa also has had teams ranked in the top 20 in men's basketball, men's swimming, women's swimming and field hockey. The Cavaliers also are likely to be ranked in the first women's lacrosse poll.
\ One of the most impressive statistics on Virginia's women's basketball team was its average attendance of nearly 3,800 for 17 home games. The Cavaliers averaged nearly 5,000 for 10 home dates after Jan. 1.
"I don't know how many men's teams can say that," UVa coach Debbie Ryan said.
It turns out that the UVa women outdrew four Division I men's teams in the state: Old Dominion, Liberty, Radford and VMI. And, the Radford men led the Big South Conference in average attendance.
"It makes me think we've accomplished a lot of the things we set out to," Ryan said. "There were a lot of days when I went home and said, `I don't think we can fight this battle anymore.' "
\ Six UVa football players with remaining eligibility have decided not to return for a fifth year, including starting defensive end Benson Goodwyn, who has applied to law school. Tight end Dan Troger, who missed the 1990 season while on academic probation, will rejoin the team for the start of spring practice Saturday.
\ The medalist for Virginia's golf team in its first tournament of the season was Wesley Dean Smith, a freshman walk-on from Wilmington, N.C., who goes by the name of Dean.
UVa golf coach Mike Moraghan learned about Smith when the golfer and his father, a friend of former Cavaliers' basketball coach Terry Holland, visited last year.
"I got to my office," Moraghan said, "and there was a note from Coach Holland on the door. He said that Dean Smith was here from North Carolina and wanted some information on the golf program."
\ UVa swimmer Angie Fariss, a sophomore from Roanoke, missed the entire 1990-91 season with a torn rotator cuff in one of her shoulders. Fariss is eligible for a redshirt season, but there is some question when she will return to 100 percent.
\ UVa freshman Andrew Dausch, a high-school All-American in lacrosse, has decided to participate in spring football practice in hopes of making the team as a wide receiver. Dausch has not decided if he will join the lacrosse team at a later date. Another lacrosse All-American, freshman attackman Casey Gordon, is likely to be redshirted by UVa.
\ Steve Cunha, top returning hitter for UVa's baseball team, will be sidelined for six weeks after suffering a broken left thumb. The injury, suffered when Cunha tried to apply a sweeping tag at first base, was nearly identical to that suffered by football quarterback Shawn Moore.
\ Ricky Horton, the last UVa product to pitch in the major leagues, has signed a free-agent contract with the Cleveland Indians. Horton was released by the St. Louis Cardinals' organization after the 1991 season.
\ Virginia senior Dana Boone, younger sister of ex-Duke football players Greg and Roger Boone, received All-America honors when she finished third in the long jump at the NCAA indoor track and field championships.
Another UVa senior, Ben Kurgat, finished third in the 800 meters but did not qualify as an All-American because he is from Kenya. Kurgat has replaced his former teammate and countryman, 1988 Olympic gold medalist Paul Ereng's, as the ACC's premier 800 specialist.
by CNB