THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9409010693
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
The state of college soccer in the state of Virginia?
Never better. With three teams in Soccer America's pre-season top 20, the Old Dominion is well-represented on the national map.
Any discussion of Virginia soccer starts with the University of Virginia, which is seeking its fourth straight NCAA title and is Soccer America's top-rated team.
The Cavaliers return seven starters from last year's 22-3 team, and have perhaps the nation's finest recruiting class.
But U.Va. also must replace midfielder Claudio Reyna, who left a year early to play for the U.S. World Cup team. A hamstring injury kept him out of the Cup, but he signed a pro contract in Germany.
Virginia also lost All-American goaltender Jeff Causey and defender Brian Bates, who was defensive MVP of the NCAA tournament.
Heading the list of returnees are three seniors who have won three national titles - Nate Friends, Clint Peay and A.J. Wood.
Midfielder Andriy Shapowal, the Gatorade national high school player of the year, heads the recruits.
Wednesday night in Davidson, N.C., Friends scored three goals as Virginia defeated No. 12 San Francisco, 6-1.
The new ``College Soccer Game of the Week'' was broadcast live by Prime Network, which is picked up by Home Team Sports and has 43 million subscribers nationwide. by CNB