Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 15, 1993 TAG: 9309150170
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Virginia Tech's soccer team travels to Virginia today for a 4 p.m. game at Klockner Stadium, and the Hokies' hopes for upsetting the top-ranked Cavaliers are welling because of Tech's strong play this season and UVa's battles with injuries.
And if Tech could just score . . .
"Their defense is so strong. Our defense is strong this year," Entlich said. "Hopefully, containing them won't be as much of a problem as us scoring a goal."
Entlich might have the solution. The senior striker from Fairfax has six goals and three assists (15 points) in Tech's four games, tying him with Stetson's Clint Adams and Clemson's Jimmy Glenn as the country's top scorers in Division I.
Neither Entlich nor prolific teammates Tarik Walker and Eric McClellan could put Tech on the board last year against UVa in a 3-0 loss at Tech Park, the Cavs' 21st straight victory in the series. Now that Walker and McClellan have completed their eligibility, Entlich - the team's third-leading scorer a year ago with 10 goals and 23 points - says Tech's offense has spread out.
"It was tough coming into preseason knowing we weren't going to have Tarik and Eric, the two superstars in Virginia Tech history," Entlich said. "We told [the players] not to rely on others, but to rely on yourself only."
Rodney Walsh has eight points (four goals) and Chris Chladek has six. Three other Hokies each have three points. Mike Serio has excelled on defense, Entlich said, and Brian Bulger has allowed four goals while making 24 saves.
Entlich says he's been set up.
"A lot of my goals have been one-on-one. [Teammates] have been giving me really quality passes, where I simply have to slide it by the goalkeeper," Entlich said.
Tech (3-1) hopes to have similar guile today in Charlottesville. The Cavs (4-0) are without forwards Nate Friends (broken wrist) and top returning scorer A.J. Wood (sprained knee). UVa hopes to get back defenders Brian Bates (hamstring) and Clint Peay (knee), who missed Sunday's 1-0 victory over Maryland.
"I can't remember the last time we beat UVa," Entlich said. "Maybe with a couple of the injuries they have, they've been struggling a little bid this year, we hope to maybe catch them off guard. Maybe we can sneak one by 'em."
by CNB