ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 16, 1996 TAG: 9604160103
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Last year, Salem split regular-season soccer wins with William Byrd, but it never could get ahead of the Terriers in the Blue Ridge District race.
Tuesday, it appeared the Spartans might finally get up on Byrd. But in a wild second half, Cory Hastings' second goal with less than four minutes left was enough to give the Terriers a 3-2 victory and the Blue Ridge lead.
With all five goals coming in the second half, Salem (3-1 overall, 2-1 district) took the early lead on a great individual move by Eric Millard, who took the ball in for an unassisted goal and a 1-0 lead with just over 18 minutes left.
Less than three minutes later, Eric Martin's shot slipped off the hands of Salem keeper Jon McClure, who was fighting a wet ball on the rainy night.
Bolstered by that goal, Hastings put Byrd (4-2, 3-0) up for the first time just 1:11 after that as he got the ball in the middle and pushed it past McClure.
Salem wasn't done as Gerald DeMasters tied the score on a bicycle shot with 5:54 remaining. However, Byrd was still dominating as the Spartans failed to clear the ball and Hastings scored again with 3:42 left for the win.
``We have to adjust to the wide field. We're stuck on a football field that's not as wide and Salem does a great job of using the whole field,'' said Byrd coach Jeff Highfill. ``They played well, and this was just a good high school soccer game.''
Salem's sharp passing was a factor on the wide field while defensively, Jason Woolwine checked Byrd's All-Group AA player Michael Berry as the Spartans forced the Terriers to get offense from other sources.
Millard made it imperative that Byrd find it quickly. ``I just got the ball down the middle of the field and took the shot,'' said the Salem senior.
When Martin scored, it was apparent the defense might not dominate the second half. ``[The shot] slipped through their keeper's hands and that got us going,'' Martin said.
McClure, who had a great first half, was on the high shot, but the ball was slippery and went through for the goal.
``I think he got his hands on all three goals and couldn't stop them. On the last goal, we just couldn't clear it for him,'' said Salem coach Walt Braine of the winner.
Hastings said his first goal came from a ``direct pass and I was right in front of the goal. I was in the right place at the right time.''
As for the winner, Hastings added, ``I slipped and fell. I didn't get a good foot on it.''
Salem wasn't finished. Brady Warr, who was magnificent for Salem though he failed to score, nearly tied it for a third time. Michael Creasy made a great save for the Terriers. Salem also failed on a corner kick just before time ran out.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 56 linesby CNB