ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 31, 1996 TAG: 9611010079
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KEITH POMPEY STAFF WRITER
Forget the three-game regular-season losing streak. The young Roanoke Valley Christian soccer team made its fifth straight playoff appearance.
However, the Eagles lost 4-0 to the Eastern Mennonite Flames in the opening round of the Virginia Independent Conference tournament Tuesday.
The disappointing finish put a sour note on what had been a strong season for the Eagles.
Despite graduating six seniors, ``I had confidence that [this team] would make the playoffs this year,'' said Joe Grooten, Roanoke Valley Christian's coach.
``They worked harder than any of the other teams in the past. [They] are a privilege to coach. They go beyond themselves. I have more athletes than I have soccer players. And the schools that we play seem to have more soccer players than athletes. But we never gave up as we were eager and really wanted [to make the playoffs].''
That's an understatement.
The Eagles (9-4 overall, 6-3 VIC) outscored their opponents 47-15. During the first six games, RVC could have named the score.
``We were winning games 11-0, 11-2,'' said Grooten. ``We played Miller School and led 5-0 in the first half. But the game was called because of lightning. I was excited [about] that game because we don't [know] how many points we could have scored.''
Much of the Eagles' success can be attributed to a blend of new and old talent. The team's three seniors - Mark Delong, Philip Martin and Gavin Walters - are the inspirational leaders. And sophomores Josh Foster and K.C. Gilbert are the team's leading scorers. Foster had 12 goals and six assists, while Gilbert added 12 scores and three assists.
``But my job is to lead by example,'' said Delong, an all-conference sweeper. ``I also do a lot of verbal coaching with them. But of course that is just my nature during the game. But I try to lead by aggression.
``This season has definitely been great. I have played on the varsity the last two years. But this year everybody is like a brother to me.''
If so, his closest siblings are Martin and Walters. The trio reminded the younger teammates of the school's winning tradition. And despite not leading the team in scoring, the three are major contributors.
Martin, who plays center and halfback, leads the team with 10 assists. And Walters has blossomed into one of the VIC's top goaltenders.
``These three guys have meant a lot to our team,'' said Grooten.
But the team's secret weapon is Stephen Grooms. The transfer from Michigan has become a standout sweeper.
``He's a great addition to our team,'' said Delong.
With these six players leading the team, the Eagles breezed through the first 10 games. RVC's only loss came to Tri City of Tennessee early in the season. According to Grooten, that loss was a blessing.
``That loss was the best thing that happened to us,'' said the coach. ``We controlled the game, but we weren't focused. Afterward, we became focused and went on a six-game win streak.''
During those games, the Eagles were inspired. They needed those victories to reach the playoffs. But even though they were heavy favorites, RVC didn't relax.
The true test was about to begin: The Eagles had to face the three other playoff teams.
``We knew that they were going to be a difficult three games for us,'' said Grooten. ``They were back-to-back. Going into this season, we knew that there were games that we could win and we should win. The first 10 games were games that we should win. The last three games were games that we could win. We thought we could beat those teams.''
Unfortunately for the Eagles, it didn't turn out that way.
RVC lost 4-2 and 2-0 before facing Mennonite in the regular-season finale last Thursday. Despite being highly motivated, the Eagles lost 1-0.
``[It] was [a] close game that could have gone either way,'' said Grooten. ``We were going shot for shot [with Mennonite]. It was [an] even game. We had three or four shots that hit the post, but they just didn't go through.''
Martin agreed.
``They got one lucky shot and we had a couple that bounced off the post,'' Martin said. ``We can beat those guys. We can beat all three of the playoffs teams.''
Who knows?
But one thing is for sure: Nobody can take this playoff berth away from them.
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY\Staff. Roanoke Valley Christian School soccerby CNBplayers Philip Martin (left), Gavin Walters (center) and Mark
DeLong.