Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 14, 1994 TAG: 9404140310
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
No goals.
At the start of the soccer season, the Indians decided they would allow opponents to score no more than a half-dozen goals this spring. Blacksburg had allowed just seven goals in each of the last two soccer campaigns, and with most of the best defensive players returning from last year's state championship squad, six goals seemed to be a realistic limit.
That was until the Indians' first five opponents scored three goals.
To be sure, at least two of those scores were notched late in games while Blacksburg coach Shelley Blumenthal experimented with different lineups and younger players. The goals really haven't caused much damage, considering that the Indians have a record of 5-0-1 and again appear to be contenders for the Group AA state title, their ultimate goal.
"We aim high," said senior Mike Dowdy.
Dowdy and senior buddies Jason Boyle and Jim Sarver are three of the main reasons Blacksburg has been able to amass an eye-popping total of 28 shutouts in less than three seasons. Since 1992, the Indians have laid a gaggle of goose eggs on the competition: 14 shutouts last year, 12 two years ago, and two so far this season.
"If the other team doesn't score, the worst thing that can happen is a tie," said Boyle. "That's why we go for the shutout."
Defense is probably the biggest reason the Indians have not lost since dropping the Group AA championship game to Park View-Sterling in 1992. The Indians have gone 26 straight games without a loss.
Blacksburg's team defense is so good, it's difficult to pick the best defender. It's clear, though, that if Dowdy, Boyle and Sarver - a sweeper, outside back and stopper, respectively - do their jobs well, there is a good chance no opposing kick will find the back of the net.
"That's their primary responsibility," Blumenthal said.
This three-sided defensive blockade is the Bermuda Triangle of high school soccer. Wayfaring opponents go in, but they often do not come out with a goal.
That's why Blumenthal calls his senior trio the "Blacksburg Triangle."
"Coach Blumenthal made a parallel between the Bermuda Triangle and the way we play defense," Boyle said. "We like that [analogy]."
Just last week, Blacksburg won 2-0 over a talented Radford team that includes two-time all-state forward Casey Underwood, one of the best scorers in the state.
Boyle's main job in that match was to guard - or "mark" - Underwood. Boyle is probably the best marker on this year's squad. During last season's state finals against Chancellor, Boyle marked Brody McCray, the Chancellors' top scorer. McCray's only score came on a phenomenal left-footed kick that then-Blacksburg goalie Kevin Schug stopped but couldn't control as the ball trickled over the net.
The Indians' eventually won the game in sudden death after Schug stuffed a Chancellor penalty kick. Schug, a strong 6-foot-3 keeper, was a big factor in Blacksburg's past shutouts. This year, sophomore goalie Ben Pinkerton has impressed his teammates and his coach with his solid work in goal.
"He has to get a lot of credit," Sarver said.
Sarver is a good marker on the field and a good marksman off it. He and Boyle go deer hunting together and occasionally shoot skeet at the Craig's Creek Shooting Range. Dowdy, who prefers indoor sports such as basketball, sometimes joins them in squeezing off a shot.
On the field, they protect the goal from shots like a bulletproof vest. As far as scoring goals, Blacksburg isn't an offensive juggernaut but they have balance. Blumenthal is still shuffling lineups in hopes of adding some offensive punch. Senior Greg Adamo, who used to play in the midfield, moved up front this season to join Steve Cherry in giving the Indians two quality scorers. Jacob Piersall has come along nicely in the back with Dowdy, Boyle and Sarver.
"We have a lot of talent and skill," said Dowdy, who is one of the most fundamentally sound soccer players on the team. "We don't have as much athletic ability or as much speed [as past Blacksburg teams], but we are skilled."
With those kinds of players, Blacksburg still has a shot at reaching their preseason goal.
Which means few opponents will have a shot at scoring a goal.
by CNB