ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996 TAG: 9605230094
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
Blacksburg High School took another step Wednesday in its bid to repeat as state champions in boys' soccer.
The Indians defeated Marion 4-0 in a Region IV semifinal match at Bill Brown Stadium. Blacksburg is trying to become the first repeat champion in Group AA since Park View-Sterling turned the trick in 1991 and '92.
With the victory, the Indians qualified for their eighth consecutive state tournament, the longest such streak in Group AA.
"I didn't even realize the streak was that long,'' Indians coach Shelley Blumenthal said. "That's good, because it means the guys understand the tradition and work hard to keep it going.''
All-New River District midfielder Nick Kappas led the offensive effort with a pair of goals, his 14th and 15th of the season.
"Getting back to the state tournament is all we've talked about the last couple of games,'' Kappas said.
Marion, which scored 11 goals in a first-round victory Monday over Carroll County, managed just 10 shots Wednesday. Blacksburg tallied 27 shots.
Blacksburg scored first on a header by midfielder Jon Hutchins in the match's 17th minute. Hutchins redirected a punch-save made by Marion keeper Jason Walls into an open net.
Despite continuous pressure from the Blacksburg front seven, Walls kept Marion in the contest with 10 first-half saves before allowing a late goal to midfielder Jason Randolph, giving the Indians a 2-0 advantage.
Kappas tacked on the Indians' third goal 5:19 into the second half and struck again in the match's 60th minute.
Blacksburg's all-district keeper Ben Pinkerton registered his seventh shutout of the season.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Short : 41 linesby CNB