Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 31, 1995 TAG: 9505310083
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Berry, a junior forward for William Byrd's soccer team, had two goals and an assist in the Terriers' 3-0 victory over Christiansburg in the quarterfinals of the Group AA state tournament Tuesday.
The Terriers travel to Blacksburg for a semifinal game. The Indians beat Salem 3-1 in a quarterfinal game Tuesday.
An All-Timesland selection a year ago, Berry missed six games this season due to mononucleosis. Though still playing his way back into shape, Berry showed no ill effects in helping Byrd (15-2-1) win its sixth straight game.
``I told him to pick his spots when he thought he could go hard,'' Terriers coach Jeff Highfill said. ``He's getting there.''
Berry gave the Terriers the only goal they needed by scoring on a penalty kick late in the first half. After Christiansburg goalie Jason Adkins was penalized for colliding with Berry in the penalty area, Berry sent a penalty kick low past Adkins into the left corner of the net.
``That's the way I shoot it in practice,'' Berry said. ``I sort of fake to the right then go back left. That's the side I'm more comfortable with.''
A 1-0 lead was a comfortable advantage for the Terriers, whose defense is anchored by big backs such as Region III player of the year Matt Bryant, Eric Evenson and Paul Higgins. Christiansburg (12-8) managed 15 shots (Byrd had 24), but the Blue Demons could not penetrate the Byrd defense.
The shutout was Byrd's ninth.
``Whenever we get one goal, I think we can win,'' Berry said.
Both teams had early chances but could not score, as Christiansburg swamped the Terriers with an aggressive, trapping defense.
``That's the first time we've seen anything like that offsides trap,'' said Highfill. ``They kept us out of sync. We didn't cash in our opportunities early, but we thought we'd get enough opportunities to put a couple in.''
The Terriers went up 2-0 midway through the second half when Joe Cockfield put a rebound past Adkins, who had blocked Berry's short kick. Berry completed the scoring with 10 minutes left with a soft kick on the run that floated into the net.
``The defense broke down when they penetrated,'' Christiansburg coach Sam Okpodu said. ``They made fewer mistakes than we did. We had a lot of opportunities we didn't finish.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB