ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603140028
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER BLACKSBURG
Guarded optimism. The two words roll off Blacksburg High soccer coach Shelley Blumenthal's lips five times in half an hour when referring to his team's outlook in 1996.
The Indians are the defending Group AA state champions - the program's third title in seven years including 1989 and 1993 - but the graduation of nine starters, including 1995 Timesland Player of the Year Mark Decker and All State performers Kurt Williams and Steve Cherry, have left Blumenthal looking for the next generation of Blacksburg standouts.
"We lost 72 of 99 goals from last season to graduation, as well as some great backline play," Blumenthal said. "On paper at least, this looks like a year where we could be down and other teams could have a chance of beating us."
If recent history is instructive, those chances would appear to be poor. The Indians have been consistently excellent because Blacksburg draws its players from the New River Valley's deepest talent pool.
"Sure they lost some players to graduation, but our goal this year, as it is every year, is to beat Blacksburg," Radford coach Mike Greco said. "Blacksburg is the premiere soccer program in the area. Even though we aren't in the same district with them anymore, we still have a great rivalry with them. You learn a lot about your program based on how you play against them."
Even at Christiansburg, where they are talking state title in '96, admiration for their New River District rivals is found at the highest level.
"The Blacksburg game is always a big one for our kids," Christiansburg coach Chris Barrett said. "We have bigger goals this year than just beating Blacksburg, but to win a title, you have to go through them."
To Blumenthal, praise from rival coaches is a tribute to the work ethic of the players that have worn the familiar blue and gold Indians uniform through the years.
"It's nice to hear other coaches say things like that about your program," Blumenthal said. "The kids and the assistants here work hard every year because they know there is a tradition. Our players are highly motivated to do well year in and year out."
Leading the Indians in their quest to become only the second team in Group AA history to repeat as champions (the other was Park View-Sterling in 1991 and 1992) is senior keeper Ben Pinkerton, a three-year starter in goal. Pinkerton has recorded 21 shutouts and given up a mere 18 goals the last two seasons, leading Blacksburg to a 34-1-3 mark during the span.
"My job this year is to support the group and provide leadership," Pinkerton said. "Coach expects me to make the routine saves and come up with a couple of difficult ones each game."
Senior midfielder Nick Kappas is Blumenthal's only other returning starter and ranks as the team's top returning scorer with six goals and three assists. Kappas will be counted on to keep the Indians possession offense clicking while younger players settle into the offense.
Other players expected to contribute are Cory Bond (five goals, three assists), John Gwazdauskas (four goals, five assists) and newcomer Jon Hutchins.
"We've got some balance on this team and some speed, which we haven't had in the past," Blumenthal said. "Hopefully this team will continue to progress as the season goes along. You always would like to be playing your best come tournament time. With the work ethic I've seen out of this group, we should be able to come together."
A look at other area teams:
Christiansburg returns 10 seniors and nine starters to a team that looks to challenge perennial power Blacksburg for the final New River District crown. Barrett takes over the coaching duties from Sam Okpudu.
"We feel like this is our year to win a championship," Barrett said. "We have a good group this year, and with 10 seniors back, this is our best chance to win the title.''
Senior midfielders Lee Adkins, Brent Cunningham and Tony Lisanti provide the Blue Demons with a formidable scoring punch. Senior Jason Adkins is a veteran in goal.
"We are going to make an effort to be a more disciplined team this season," Barrett said. "We are going to play with a better balance on both sides of the field. At times last season, we charged forward on offense and didn't defend as well. This year is going to be more of a team effort."
Radford returns nine starters from last season's Three Rivers District and Region C championship squad that advanced to the Group A state semifinals before being upended by Northumberland.
Greco, in his ninth season at the Bobcats helm, returns a stellar group of players capable of propelling Radford back into the state tournament. Five seniors - defenders Seth Atkinson, Alan Cox, and Matt Gilmore as well as midfielder Larnell Lewis and forward Kirk Perrow - are college recruits. Junior Benjy Fry is slated to start in goal.
"We are going to play a controlled, possession-type game with a lot of passing," Greco said. "We have a strong defense this year. Some of our guys have been together for four years. That should help us accomplish our goal of getting back to the state tournament."
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM/Staff. Leading the Indians in their quest toby CNBbecome only the second team in Group AA history to repeat as
champions is senior keeper Ben Pinkerton. color.