Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 28, 1995 TAG: 9506010038
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In front of new head coach Ed McMichael and 455 rain-chilled fans at Cave Spring Junior High School, the RiverDawgs were fortunate to escape impoundment following a 7-3 loss to the Charlotte Eagles in a United Systems of Independent Soccer League game.
It was the worst loss of the season for Roanoke (2-4). The drubbing capped a tumultuous week in which McMichael replaced Sam Okpodu after the latter resigned on Tuesday.
``Sam resigned due to time constraints,'' said Phil Benne, a part-owner of the club. ``It wasn't anything tied to his coaching. It was just too much for him to do with him coaching teams at Virginia Tech [women] and Christiansburg High.''
McMichael, 41, has been head coach at Patrick Henry High for eight years. He was startled when his phone rang early in the week.
``I wasn't really paying attention to it,'' McMichael said. ``I had come to a couple of games. It came from so far out it took little while to decide because I had to absorb the fact they asked me. After I stopped reeling backwards at the fact they asked, I said, `Hey, this is a pretty good idea.'
``To say the least, it's been pretty much a crash course.''
The big wreck came Saturday. The only thing sloppier than the weather was the RiverDawgs' defense, which gave up at least four bad goals. Half of those appeared to come on miscommunication between goalie Aaron Ewert and sweeper Ian Spooner.
When someone tried to console him by saying it couldn't get any worse, McMichael responded by saying, "Don't say that.''
It could, though. The RiverDawgs lose two of their top three scorers - forward Dante Washington and midfielder Eric McClellan - to the Washington Warthogs of the Continental Indoor Soccer League.
``It's hard to replace those guys,'' McMichael said, ``but we've got some kids who can fill their spots.''
DAWG BITES: RiverDawgs general manager Doug Fonder said the inclement weather cost the club a bundle at the gate. ``I think we could have 2,000 or 3,000 people in here with good weather. This was supposed to be our biggie with all the soccer people in town for the Crestar Classic.'' ... Washington, McClellan and Brent Bennett had Roanoke's goals. McClellan finished with six goals and Washington five in their short foray with the Dawgs. ... Roanoke, which has lost three straight games, entertains the Washington Mustangs on Saturday at 7:30. ... Keith Dakin's three goals and one assist paced Charlotte. Former Virginia standout Brad Agoos had two assists for the Eagles.
by CNB