ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996 TAG: 9605230020
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
All athletes can look back on their careers and pick out one definitive moment that embodied the essence of their competitive spirit.
For Blacksburg High School soccer goalkeeper Ben Pinkerton, the personal highlight reel will surely include what his coach, Shelley Blumenthal, called "one of the greatest saves I've ever seen."
Pinkerton's moment occurred on the first attempt of an overtime shootout against archrival Christiansburg May 13. With the final New River District regular season soccer title and a bye in the first round of the Region IV tournament hanging in the balance, Pinkerton was all but impenetrable in goal.
As a seasoned goalie, Pinkerton knew full well the importance of the shootout's first attempt. A save would give the Indians some much-needed momentum as well as what amounted to a free shot. Tony Lisanti began for Christiansburg by delivering a well-struck ball to Pinkerton's left side.
Pinkerton dove, extended fully, and deflected a shot bearing down on the farthest reaches of the right corner of the goal mouth. Understandably pumped, Pinkerton pounced from the turf and gestured to the Blacksburg fans in attendance as if to say, "this game is mine." And it was. Pinkerton saved three of the four shots he faced and the Indians went on to a 2-1 victory.
"I just wanted to show my team that I was there for them," Pinkerton said. "I've always tried to be a leader by example. I was told one time that a team will react to its goalie's reactions."
Blumenthal said Pinkerton's heroics were a fitting end to a game with so much at stake.
"Ben deserved for the game to come down to that ... to be the hero," Blumenthal said. "He's done so much and been such a great leader for this team since he's been here. I couldn't think of a better way for this game to end."
High praise for a player who has received enough awards to make a four-star general envious. Pinkerton recently was selected to the West squad for the Virginia High School League Coaches Association All-Star game July 9 at Hampton's Darling Stadium.
Pinkerton has also been named All-Timesland first team, honorable mention All Group AA, All Region IV (twice) and All New River District (three times). Add to the tally two Group AA state titles, one as a starter, and the Pinkerton family trophy case is a bit overloaded.
"[The awards] make me feel good because I've accomplished a lot of what I set out to do," Pinkerton said. "Before my freshman season, my dad and I sat down and talked about my goals, both academically and athletically. I said I wanted to be a starting goalie and I wanted to win a state title. I wanted to be No.1 at everything I did ... not No.2."
Blumenthal said a lot of practice and hard work went into Pinkerton's metamorphosis from backup keeper on the Indians' 1993 title team as a freshman to starter on the '95 championship squad.
"We've worked a lot on his footwork and his direction of the defense," Blumenthal said. "He's become a lot more focused and understands the game better now. Keeper is the most cerebral position on the field because he has to see the entire picture. Ben has become the finest defensive goalie I've ever coached."
Pinkerton said he grew up around Blacksburg soccer, studying former Indians goalies (who he referred to as "my idols") and learning tricks of the position from Virginia Tech netminder Jon DeLong.
The long hours of study have resulted in an amazing 42-6-5 career record, 27 shutouts and a 0.66 goals against average in his three years as Blumenthal's top keeper, as well as a scholarship to Brevard (N.C.) Junior College, a powerhouse known for producing Division I players.
The statistics are almost as striking as Pinkerton's physical appearance. He's tall (6-feet-4, 201 pounds) with long hair gathered into a ponytail reminiscent of the one worn by another accomplished soccer player, U.S. National team goalie and former University of Virginia All-American Tony Meola.
"There's no doubt 'The Big Guy' can be intimidating to other teams," Blumenthal said. "He's a very confident guy on top of that, but not arrogant. He is always respectful of the opposition and never acts bigger than the team. He just has the confidence necessary to be a good keeper."
Pinkerton's confidence and stellar play down the stretch have inspired Blacksburg, and according to Blumenthal, giving the team the feeling it can repeat as champions.
"There's no doubt our goal is to win states again," Pinkerton said. "After we tied North Cross, I told the guys on our team that the tie felt good, but not nearly as good as a state title. I want to win again so the players that have never experienced it can. It's something everyone should have the opportunity to experience."
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM/Staff. Ben Pinkerton's heroic efforts in goalby CNBhave brought honor to Blacksburg High's soccer team.