THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994 TAG: 9408260726
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Several years ago, William and Mary soccer coach Al Albert decided to build a railroad to Virginia Beach. He named Billy Owens conductor.
In the last two years, Owens - a member of two Group AAA state champion teams at Kempsville High - has helped add more cars to the train. In that time, six Beach players have followed Owens to William and Mary.
Two of those players - sophomore Steve Jolley of Kempsville and freshman Wade Barrett of First Colonial - are among the best in the country. Both were high school All-Americans.
Jolley practiced with the national under-20 team, while Barrett - a Parade All-American - was named to the team's traveling squad.
Owens, Jolley and Barrett - along with Josh Quinter, Brian Reshefsky, Greg Richards and Dan Zickefoose - will show off their stuff at 7:30 tonight in a preseason exhibition game against Navy at Ocean Lakes High.
The game is the Hampton Roads Soccer Council's first fund-raising event for a $2.5 million, 75-acre, 17-field complex to be built at Princess Anne Park. The council already has received pledges of nearly $500,000.
Though he might not realize it, Owens was instrumental in bringing Beach talent to Williamsburg.
``He basically got my Beach connection started, and that was kind of the idea,'' Albert said. ``I knew he was the kind of charismatic player who would get others (in Virginia Beach) to come here.''
Having a solid freshman season didn't hurt. Owens earned the Tribe's top rookie award and was named second-team all-conference and all-region. Soccer America magazine named him to its national all-freshman team. He finished second on the team in scoring with eight goals and seven assists.
Heading into his junior season, Owens is tied for seventh on William and Mary's career assist list and is six points shy of breaking into the school's top 10 scoring list.
And after a mediocre sophomore season in which he was hampered by an injured big toe on his kicking foot, Owens is ready to play with a magnetism that will undoubtedly attract more Beach talent.
``I had taken a shot and hit the bottom of a defender's foot,'' Owens said of the injury. ``I never went to the doctor because I was told I probably wouldn't be able to play the rest of the season if they thought it was broke. So I never really found out if it was or not. But it did cause me some real problems.
``It was very discouraging to be out there and not be able to do everything I wanted to.
``But it's a lot better now, and I can't wait. We should have a very good team this year.''
There are several reasons Albert wanted a connection to Virginia Beach. Foremost, the city has produced some of the best players in the state and has won more than half of the last 10 state titles.
And having people who are familiar with one another because of years of competition among themselves on select teams doesn't hurt team unity.
``Having a bunch of people who know how each other plays makes things very comfortable on the field. Everybody knows what to expect,'' Owens said. ``We also have a bunch of guys from Northern Virginia (an area with a longtime, fierce rivalry with Beach high schools). There are more Northern Virginia guys than Beach guys.
``Both have meshed together pretty well. We sometimes have competitions between us, in fun, but I think it really helps the team.''
William and Mary broke into the national top 10 for a few weeks last year, and the Tribe is looking to make its third trip in a row to the NCAA tournament.
Having the kind of talent Owens has helped to attract just may be the ticket that will get the train to the station. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Courtesy of William and Mary
Former Kempsville star Derek Owens is tied for seventh on the
Tribe's career assist list.
by CNB