THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 19, 1994 TAG: 9410190555
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
When the William and Mary men's soccer team takes on Old Dominion tonight, it will be a homecoming of sorts for Greg Richards and six other Virginia Beach players on the Tribe roster.
A homecoming, with a twist.
``This is always a hard game, for both teams,'' said Richards, a junior midfielder out of First Colonial High School. ``We expect it to be mentally tough and very physical.''
Last year, the two teams squared off in Williamsburg during the regular season and again in the CAA quarterfinals. Both games ended in 1-1 ties.
The 1994 showdown, at 7:30 at Old Dominion, should be no different. Although the Monarchs (7-5-1) recently suffered their worst defeat since 1983, falling 5-0 to nationally ranked James Madison on the road, Richards believes that in this rivalry, won/loss records aren't an indication of which team will win.
``It won't be any different this time from the years before,'' he said. ``(Both teams) always try to play our best against each other. I just hope there will be a local crowd and a Beach contingent out at the game.''
If won/loss records could predict which team would take home a victory, the edge would certainly go to the Tribe (13-1). After starting the season with a 12-game win streak and climbing as high as No. 3 in the national rankings, William and Mary dropped its first game last week with a 2-1 loss to Duke.
The Tribe bounced right back and responded with a 3-0 shutout of CAA rival George Mason. They come into tonight'se game ranked ninth in the nation.
The loss to Duke might have been a blessing in disguise, Richards said.
``It was nice actually getting some recognition and moving up in the polls, but the streak was the only thing people were asking about,'' he said. ``It got kind of old after awhile.
``Being unbeaten has never been a goal of ours. We try not to look ahead and just play game to game.''
Although it was smooth sailing for William and Mary during the first half of the schedule, had it not been for a team meeting before the season began, the Tribe might not have fared so well.
``We were a little off in the preseason, . . . struggling to maintain focus. The work ethic wasn't there for all of us all the time,'' Richards said. ``We got together before the first game, and everyone had a chance to say a few words about what needed to be done, and what we wanted to accomplish.''
Needless to say, it worked. Not only has the offense been scoring plenty of goals, the defense has also been spectacular, with keeper Paul Grafer ranked nationally in goals-against average.
Although he doesn't score many goals, Richards provides a steadying influence for the Tribe in the middle. He started 57 straight games for William ;and Mary before an eye injury suffered in the Duke game kept him out against George Mason.
But if Old Dominion fans are hoping that the swollen left eye keeps Richards out against the Monarchs, they shouldn't hold their breath.
``I took three stitches, but it's fine now,'' Richards said. ``Besides, nothing is going to keep me out of this game.'' by CNB