ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, May 14, 1996 TAG: 9605140048
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
The Indians won the NRD regular-season title and an automatic berth in next week's Region IV tournament with a 2-1 shootout victory Monday over rival Christiansburg in a one-game playoff for the district title. Blacksburg has won the district championship every year since soccer became a contested sport.
Blacksburg's B.J. LaFon, Nick Pappas and Jason Randolph scored in the shootout, and goalie Ben Pinkerton turned away three of the four shots he faced for the victory.
``Ben was just outstanding in the shootout,'' Blacksburg coach Shelley Blumenthal said. ``The first save was spectacular ... the ball was practically in and somehow he managed to dig it out of there.''
For Pinkerton, his shootout performance was the result of years of soccer experience.
``I've been playing in goal for a long time and I can guess where players are going,'' Pinkerton said. ``I just wanted to make the big saves and show my team I was there for them.''
With the victory, Blacksburg (8-4-3) advances to the title game of the NRD tournament on Friday, where they will face the winner of tonight's Christiansburg-Carroll County contest.
The Indians and Blue Demons (8-4) concluded the regular season with identical 3-1 NRD records, setting up Monday's playoff. The teams split their two earlier meetings, with each winning 1-0 on the other's home field.
Blacksburg outshot Christiansburg 22-15 for the game, and 7-3 in the match's four overtime sessions.
Blacksburg struck first on a goal by Jon Hutchins in the 46th minute. Hutchins gathered a deflected shot in the penalty box and beat Christiansburg keeper Jason Adkins in the upper right corner.
The Blue Demons tallied the equalizer in the match's 70th minute. Midfielder Zack Johnson gathered a pass from Tony Lisanti and scored from 10 yards out on the left wing.
``This win should be a big psychological boost for this team,'' Blumenthal said. ``After our last loss to Christiansburg, this win should help us the next time we see them, which I expect will be in Friday's championship game.''
LENGTH: Medium: 54 linesby CNB