THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 5, 1995 TAG: 9504050664
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
According to Norfolk Academy's Mike Moro, winning another Virginia Prep League boys lacrosse title is simply a matter of giving people what they want.
``I think the people at this school expect success from the lacrosse team,'' Moro said. ``We've won the state title two years in a row, and I think everyone's kind of expecting a three-peat.''
That means more from Moro. Primarily a set-up man for high-scoring All-Americans John Wynne and Drew McKnight a year ago, Moro has had to assume more of the scoring burden this season.
The Norfolk Academy lacrosse machine hasn't missed a beat.
Moro scored eight goals in two games last week, good enough to earn The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star athlete of the week award. In three games, the senior has 11 goals and five assists.
``When you lose a guy like John Wynne (now at Princeton), I knew we needed someone to step up,'' Moro said. ``No one really said anything to me directly. I just kind of took it upon myself to try and get things done.
``It's basically been a matter of just going to the goal more and having confidence in my ability to beat people.''
Bulldogs coach Tom Duquette said he's hardly surprised that Moro has adapted so easily to the scorer's role.
``He's a very accomplished player,'' Duquette said.
In fact, Moro, who's been playing lacrosse for six years, was part of what Duquette called ``the best attack the state of Virginia's ever seen,'' a reference to last season's Moro-Wynne-McKnight combination. Wynne scored 78 goals, while McKnight chipped in a school-record 73 assists. The two tied for team scoring honors with 104 points.
Moro contributed a not-too-shabby 56 points, but basically contented himself with setting up his teammates.
The role cost him postseason honors, but his skills didn't escape the eyes of college coaches. Moro will play at the University of Massachusetts next season, home of the ninth-ranked team in the country.
And now that he's being counted on to do more scoring, Moro said he's looking forward to receiving the attention that comes with the role.
``I kind of played in the shadows of Wynne and McKnight last year,'' Moro said. ``This is my first real chance to step up and play a lead role.'' by CNB