ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, May 11, 1996 TAG: 9605130075
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
Cave Spring's preparation for the Roanoke Valley District boys' soccer tournament was a warmup against two of Timesland's vintage teams.
The Knights completed their task of finishing strong by starting fast to whip North Cross 4-0 Friday on the Raiders' field. This followed Wednesday's 5-2 triumph over Group AA power Blacksburg and completed a 12-1 regular-season record for Cave Spring, marred only by a loss to nationally ranked C.D. Hylton.
The Knights dominated the first half and grabbed the lead on a goal by German exchange student Nicolas Ballerstaedt over Raiders freshman goalie Brad Fielder, who mistimed his jump.
Early in the second period, Fielder grabbed Andy Newton, who was free in front, giving Cave Spring a penalty kick from close in. Brian Sharp scored to make it 2-0.
``The game was really over after that,'' said North Cross coach Richard Cook, whose team is 11-5-6 heading into the Virginia Independent Conference tournament. ``Cave Spring plays well together. That's what it's all about. We have as much talent, but we don't play as well together.''
North Cross has only three seniors, but Cook says, ``That's usual at this school.''
Meanwhile, Cave Spring's program is progressing under second-year coach Bruce Mahan, whose 1-2 scoring punch of Newton and Chris Hewitt accounted for the last two goals.
``We came out hot and then it got hot,'' said Mahan, who intimated his club wilted after the half when it scored only one goal.
This was also a game between friends since the schools are only a few miles apart and a lot of the players see one another on other teams when they are on the same side.
``I knew they have a lot of tough players. We won all the loose balls [early]. That's what matters,'' said Hewitt.
``A lot of these guys are on my club team. It's kind of tough to tackle someone you know who will be on your team. But you have to put that behind you. They understand and they'll go out hard too,'' said Sharp.
The Raiders actually played a fairly even second half with the Knights as Fielder shored up the defense.
``They had a lot of shots on goal early. They clearly controlled the game,'' said Fielder. ``They were the better team.
``I've made a lot of mistakes as a freshman. It's sort of been learning on the job. I felt like I didn't play that badly today.''
Peter Nevin got the shutout for the Knights, the fifth of the year for Cave Spring. In the second half he made a couple of key saves including one on a shot by Jason Esguera. North Cross' William Watkins and Steven Hamblen had shots that were just a little off the mark.
Cook told his team at the half it was being beaten to the ball, which didn't happen as much after intermission. ``We played well in spurts and we put some pressure on them, but we didn't finish it,'' said Cook.
Mahan said the opening goal by Ballerstaedt was important. ``He started one or two games and this was his first goal of the year. That's why the team was so happy,'' Mahan added.
see microfilm for box score
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY STAFF North Cross player Scott Lofrancoby CNB(left) gets tangled with Jorge Rivera of Cave Spring during their
soccer match Friday.