Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 4, 1994 TAG: 9412070075
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A trip to the NCAA final four will be at stake when UVa (19-3-1) entertains JMU (20-2-2) at 1 p.m. today at Klockner Stadium in Charlottesville.
The teams once met on an annual basis, but they have not played since 1992 and and have not agreed on any future dates.
``We call every year and say, `Give us a time and date,''' Martin said. ``We'd love to play, but it's not our decision.
``I'm not defending their position, but I realize they play in a very powerful conference [the ACC]. We're close, though, and we'd give them a game.''
Bruce Arena, UVa's coach, does not doubt the Dukes would be competitive, but he points to the Cavaliers' schedule as one of the strongest in college soccer.
``What has been the top program in the state behind Virginia?'' Arena said. ``It's probably been George Mason, and we've played them every year.
``Basically, I don't think we need the game [with JMU] under the circumstances it would be played. We don't need any more good games. We are everybody's target.''
All Arena needs to know about this James Madison team is the Dukes have playoff victories over two of the three teams to beat Virginia this year, North Carolina and Duke. JMU had lost six consecutive NCAA Tournament games before this year.
The Dukes generally start two Finnish-born players and Brent Bennett, an All-America forward from Trinidad, but Bennett missed the second-round NCAA game and is questionable today with a groin injury.
JMU's leading scorer is Mark Mathewson, a senior forward from Randolph (N.J.) High School, where one of his classmates was UVa football quarterback Mike Groh.
``I don't think there's any pressure on us,'' Martin said. ``We may be even more relaxed because it's Virginia and we know what's out there. They're the best.''
UVa is seeking its fourth consecutive Division I men's soccer title.
by CNB