Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9506010102
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The duo have combined to score 37 goals this season to lead the Indians to a 17-0-1 record as they enter the state semifinals.
"They are a very potent 1-2 punch," said Blacksburg coach Shelley Blumenthal. "They have played on the same team for a long time and complement each other very well."
The two seniors have played on the same squad since the fourth grade, including Blacksburg's 1993 state championship squad, though neither started. Their familiarity has proved to be beneficial for the entire team.
"We have been friends since we were kids," said Cherry. "Sometimes things don't have to be said, they are just understood."
What opponents understand is that the first team All-New River District and All-Region IV forwards are difficult to stop.
"We play high pressure soccer and that opens things up," said Williams, who has 19 goals and nine assists in the season. " I would like to think I am a decent finisher. If you watch us play, we run in tandem with each other, and our runs compliment each others pretty well."
"My main job is to finish, and I have worked at it," said Cherry, who has scored 18 goals and doled out 10 assists in the season. "If that is your job you should be able to do it."
The Indians have a simple goal: capture a state title and eliminate the specter of last year's bitter loss to Martinsville. In state semifinals last season, the Indians held to what seemed to be a commanding 2-0 lead with 12 minutes to play, only to fall 3-2 in overtime. It is that memory that prevents Williams, Cherry and their teammates from becoming overconfident.
"It was the worst loss I have ever had," Cherry said. "It was hard to swallow, and it is still in the back on everyone's mind."
The offensive explosion by Williams has been a little bit of a surprise, coming from a man who didn't start last season. But after scoring seven goals in the last two games of the fall season, things came together.
"Kurt is a very team oriented player," Blumenthal said. "He is good in the air at winning the head balls."
In the fall Williams will be using his head for a more difficult pursuit. He will attend The College of William and Mary as a chemistry/premed major.
The conclusion of the season will bring to an end Williams' soccer career, but maybe not his athletic career. He has a 5 handicap on the golf course and has an eye on possibly playing for William and Mary's golf team.
Cherry is hoping to continue his soccer career at Appalachian State, where he has been invited to try out for one of the spots open on the team.
But for now, they're focusing on putting a happy ending on their high school careers.
"It would be unbelievable" to win the state championship, Williams said. "The main thing is we have to play with intensity all the time."
"It would be the perfect ending to the dream season," Cherry said. "After last year's loss we just said it is not going happen again. Things have come together, but we have our eyes on one prize and won't be satisfied unless we get it."
by CNB