ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 21, 1996 TAG: 9603210072
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Christiansburg High and Blacksburg High have what passes for established girls soccer programs in the New River Valley.
They've been established since last year.
Oddly, neither of them seems to be troubled with the usual problems associated with a start-up high school team, inexperience being the main one.
Christiansburg, in fact, is quite strong. Blacksburg is a step behind, but it won or tied as many games as it lost in its maiden season.
The Blue Demons fashioned a highly accomplished 12-3 record last year while recording 10 shutouts. Coach Beverly Biancur, a former Radford University player who now works as an athletic trainer in the Montgomery County schools, appears as though she'll have a similarly talented team again this year.
Three reasons are senior forward Helen Smart, junior forward Stewart Milton and junior midfielder Lisa Lisanti. All three of them tried out for and made the state Olympic Development Squad based in Richmond last year.
In state girls soccer, that's about as elite as it comes. They aren't the only Christiansburg girls who can play, though.
``With the exception of the freshmen [there are 19 members of the Christiansburg team], everybody on the team has been on traveling soccer teams,'' Biancur said.
Hence, players came to the team accustomed to a strong level of competition.
Smart, who moved to the area from Northern Virginia early in high school, is probably the team's most experienced player. A year ago, she was second on the team in scoring with 15 goals (she took 79 shots) and 11 assists. She is considered a college prospect and may try to play for Virginia Tech.
Milton already has attracted considerable interest from college scouts. She was the team's leading scorer with 23 goals and nine assists. Lisanti had eight goals and seven assists. Fellow midfielder Vanessa Knowles added 10 goals and four assists a year ago.
In goal, Kathy Kreye made 109 saves and allowed only 16 goals. The back line is further bolstered by junior sweeper Kristen Merrill, the defensive leader.
Defense is Blacksburg's strong suit. Katie Daniels, Catherine Coebel and Kathy Devens are a formidable back-line unit for coach Julio Opazo, a Chilean foreign language teacher at the high school.
Most of the scoring came from sophomore Kim Devens (Kathy's sister) and April Rogers last year. The two combined for 10 goals.
Staying in games with Blacksburg's defense shouldn't be a problem. The key will be finding ways to win close games, of which there should be plenty.
``Potentially speaking, we have some very good players,'' Opazo said. ``We must build up our front line, though. This will be an interesting year.''
LENGTH: Medium: 54 linesby CNB