THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 14, 1994 TAG: 9411140185
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: FROM STAFF & WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
James Madison's speed proved to be too much for William and Mary in the finals of the Colonial Athletic Association men's soccer tournament, as the Dukes claimed a record-setting third-straight CAA title with a 3-1 win Saturday before a sellout crowd of 2,436 at Busch Field.
With the win, James Madison (18-2-2) earns an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Dukes have not lost to William and Mary since 1990, compiling a 6-0-2 mark over that time, including a 3-0 record against the Tribe in the CAA tournament.
``We never really got going up front, and they did a good job of controlling us and counterattacking,'' Tribe coach Al Albert said. ``When there's that much team speed (you have) a problem. We're quick, but we're not fast. JMU is flat-out fast.''
William and Mary (18-3-1) started the game on the attack, but the Tribe had little to show for their efforts and found themselves down by a goal a little over 10 minutes into the half.
JMU midfielder David Clarke came up with the ball near the William and Mary goal after a pass attempt deflected off a Tribe defender to the left side of the box.
Spotting Nathan Fairchild running in, Clarke sent a cross over to the middle of the box. Fairchild blasted a shot from over 25 yards out that caught William and Mary keeper Paul Grafer flat-footed, and Grafer could only watch as the ball banged into the left corner of the net for a 1-0 James Madison lead.
The Dukes led 2-0 with 13 minutes left to play in the first half. Brent Bennett got past the Tribe defense, forcing Grafer to come out and challenge. Grafer's slide tackle couldn't stop Bennett, who pushed the ball into the open goal.
Andrew Petty put William and Mary on the scoreboard 30 seconds later with his first goal of the season, but James Madison came out in the second half and added an insurance goal from Geoff Honeysett with 20 minutes left to play.
- JULIE GOODRICH
IRISH TOP W&M WOMEN: William and Mary gave top-ranked Notre Dame their second scare at home in two days Sunday, but the Fighting Irish came from behind to defeat the Tribe, 2-1, in a NCAA soccer quarterfinal.
Midfielder Ann Cook had put William and Mary up 1-0, an advantage they held at halftime despite being outshot 9-2. But that same onslaught in the second half gave the Irish two goals.
Notre Dame rallied Saturday to beat George Mason, 3-1.
VIRGINIA TAKES ACC TITLE: Mike Fisher scored on a penalty kick for the only score in Virginia's 1-0 win over Duke in the championship game of the ACC men's soccer tournament. The victory gave the Cavaliers (17-3-1) their fourth straight ACC title. Virginia has now won 10 conference titles. by CNB