ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, August 31, 1996 TAG: 9609030127
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: SOCCER PREVIEW
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
Unlike most first-year coaches, George Gelnovatch does not have the luxury of low expectations.
Gelnovatch takes over a Virginia men's soccer program that won four straight NCAA championships between 1991-94, went undefeated over the first 23 games last year and has been ranked No.1 in the preseason.
``Is there pressure?'' Gelnovatch asked in response to a question. ``There's a lot of pressure. We've got a talented team and I've got big shoes to fill.''
Gelnovatch, 31, played at Virginia from 1983-86 and has been an assistant coach for the past seven years under Bruce Arena. Arena, earlier named to head the U.S. Olympic team, resigned following the 1996 season to coach the new Major League Soccer franchise in Washington, D.C.
``I don't have his one-liners,'' Gelnovatch said. ``In the years I've been here as an assistant, there have been a lot of things we haven't agreed on. Of course, we've agreed on a lot, but I think some of that [disagreement] is healthy.''
It helped Gelnovatch's transition that men's soccer is allowed to practice during the spring.
``I don't think watching them play was nearly as important as getting used to being the boss,'' he said.
The Gelnovatch Era officially begins tonight at 7, when the Cavaliers entertain Old Dominion. Following is a brief look at the soccer teams at some of the other schools covered by The Roanoke Times:
Men
FERRUM: Tom Thatcher coaches both programs at Ferrum, where the men were 8-3-1 in their last 12 matches. All-state midfielders Mike Carey and Adam Fowler will be joined by the likes of Roanoke Valley District player of the year Chris Hewitt from Cave Spring.
RADFORD: Goalie Sacha Drouin had a 1.35 goals-against average and will be supported by senior defender Lee Morton as the Highlanders try to compensate for the loss of conference player of the year Ian Spooner. Radford lost the top seven scorers from a team that won 11 games.
ROANOKE: The Maroons are in their usual position of Old Dominion Athletic Conference contender, their 8-9 record from a year ago notwithstanding. All-ODAC defender Shane Greene is the most distinguished of a group of returnees that is strong at midfield.
VMI: A 10-victory season is realistic for the Keydets, who went 8-11 in 1995 after winning five games the previous season. One-time backup goalie Mike Polhamus had a team-high seven goals and the Keydets also return two-time All-Southern Conference forward Rich Daughtridge and Michael Maine, who had four goals against Maryland-Eastern Shore.
VIRGINIA: Although the Cavaliers lost All-Americans Damian Silvera and Brandon Pollard, they welcome back 10 of their top 11 scorers, including Olympian Billy Walsh and Mike Fisher, recipient of the Hermann Trophy as the top player in college soccer.
VIRGINIA TECH: The Hokies, who opened the season Friday with a 2-1 victory over visiting Radford, tied for third in the Atlantic 10 last year at 6-3-2 but must play better outside the conference if they are to improve on an 8-10-2 finish. Matt Whalen had seven goals and six assists as a freshman.
WASHINGTON AND LEE: Sam Chase had an ODAC-leading 18 goals last year as a freshman and helped resolve the Generals' chronic scoring problems. Mikel Parker, Chase's classmate at W&L and at Walton High School in Marietta, Ga., made first-team All-ODAC on defense.
Women
FERRUM: All-Region forward Susan Sautter has set 12 school scoring records for the Panthers, who were ranked ninth in the region last year and finished 12-4-1. A defense led by All-Dixie Conference sweeper Shannon Sayre posted seven shutouts during a nine-game season-ending unbeaten streak.
HOLLINS: One of the goals in coach Bob Hartman's second season is a spot in the ODAC Tournament. Hollins found playing time for 12 freshmen during a 4-12 season and returns leading scorer Beth Coughlin, who had eight goals and six assists.
RADFORD: The Highlanders, who were 15-3-1 in 1994, hope to rebound from a 4-14-1 season. Kelly Riescher has 18 goals and 12 assists after two seasons and was joined on the All-Big South team by a pair of returning defenders, Jamie Dobson and Lori Patterson.
ROANOKE: The Maroons lose only two starters from a team that finished 14-6 and reached the ODAC championship game for the fourth time in five years. Forward Meredith Arnott and midfielder Lisa Franzino rank eighth and ninth on the Maroons' all-time scoring list and join goalie Kara Hedges as co-captains.
VIRGINIA: April Heinrichs takes over the Virginia program after a rare intra-conference move from Maryland, which made the ACC championship game and finished 18-6. Goalie Brit Swenberg and five players who scored four goals or more return from last year's 14-5-2 Cavaliers squad.
VIRGINIA TECH: The Hokies (3-12-3) scored only 12 goals last year and must replace seniors Cindy Zier and Michele Hager, who accounted for five of them. Junior goalie Hope Handley, who set an Atlantic 10 record for saves, is certain to be tested.
WASHINGTON AND LEE: The Generals welcome back 15 players who started at least five games in a 10-6 season. Karin Treese and Michelle Bauman shared team scoring honors with 14 goals and 1994 ODAC scoring leader Eric Reineke returns after an injury-plagued sophomore year.
LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: headshot of Gelnovatchby CNB