THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 30, 1995 TAG: 9503290173
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAN COOLEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
LAST SEASON may have been the most successful ever at the state level for Bay Rivers District soccer, with both Tabb and York reaching the Group AA semifinals.
Tabb went on to knock off regular-season district champion York in the semis and claimed the state title.
Without a doubt it will be very hard to match last year's success, especially with Tabb now in the Group AAA Peninsula District. But believe it or not the 1995 campaign has the potential to at least come close.
Poquoson, last season's regular-season runner-up, and newcomer Franklin look strong enough to challenge York. The Broncos won the Group A Tidewater District title two years in a row and still have experienced players returning.
The Islanders return the most lettermen - 10 - and the team has held its own in early-season scrimmages against a pair of AAA schools. They fell 2-1 to Lafayette and tied Kempsville.
Center midfielder junior Pete Nodolny and seniors Chris Clemins and Scott Neilson top the list of returners.
``We should be very good and are looking to go to the state finals,'' coach Scott Cannady said.
The Broncos shouldn't have any trouble making the jump to AA. They have compiled an impressive 29-3-1 during the past two years in the Tidewater District and are loaded with seven veterans returning.
``My outlook for this team is pretty high,'' coach Greg Lomax said. ``We played most of the Bay Rivers teams the last two years and did very well against them.''
Heading the list of returnees are senior defensive midfielder Clay Council and junior forward Mark Evans. Senior goalkeeper Derek Light, junior midfielders Eric Cox and Joseph Harris and Council's younger brother Jordan are also back.
Lomax expects newcomers Shawn Drake, Patrick and Eric Kee, Raymond Brooks, Graham Boyd and Bryce Powell to see a lot of playing time.
After losing 11 of 13 games last year, about the only place for the Lakeland Cavaliers to go is up. With a solid nucleus of eight returnees, co-head coaches Mark Jones and David Wessel said the team can not only be better, but also challenge for a top four spot and district tournament berth.
Juniors Aaron Dowalibi, Josh Worrell and Jared Kiesow headline the list of veterans.
Utility player Darrin Babb and keeper Allen McCrary will move up from junior varsity and are expected to impact the team's success right away.
Despite finishing 3-10-1 last year, Nansemond River has the potential to finish in the all-important top 4. Seven lettermen return from last year's highly competitive team which lost five games by just one goal.
Sophomore halfback Justin Ellis, junior goaltender Jerred Teneder, juniors Mike Merrell, Drey Asbell, Jason Mays, Joe Carney and senior Alec Pope all return with experience.
The Warriors also have newcomers Justin Pletlow, John Ferreira and an exchange student from Norway, Helge Bruflot.
Smithfield also returns seven lettermen from last year's fifth-place team. Topping that list are goaltender Tommy Routton, Jason Riley, Earl Gibson and Matt Guthrie.
Southampton struggled to a 4-7 record last year, but first-year head coach Lonny Raibis is optimistic about the Indians' chances of improving in '95.
``Most of them played together in a fall league,'' Raibis said of his team. ``So they know each other well. It's a well-balanced team and they should be a lot better than last year.''
Bolstering the team's chances is a strong number of returnees - six. Three standout seniors top the list with Jeffrey Nadeau and Brad Edwards as well as senior exchange student Arthur Smit.
If York is to win a third straight district title, it will have to do so with one of its youngest teams ever.
Decimated by the loss of four starters from last year's team, fourth-year coach Paul Sidhu will start sophomores and two freshmen.
But there are three veterans to look to with impressive credentials. First-team all-state player Tommy Hipple, second team all-state selection Matt Greene and first team all-district player Andy Brooks are back. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Michael Merrell heads toward the Nansemond River goal in a recent
game against Greensville.
Nansemond River's Chris Street prepares to kick the ball.
by CNB