THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 14, 1995 TAG: 9505120213
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
Few people probably picked the Great Bridge boys' soccer team to dominate the Southeastern District, especially after the Wildcats finished last season 2-1-3 in district play.
Coach Ed Welliver's team has turned the program around in remarkable fashion, surging to a 6-0 record and the regular season district title. Great Bridge has dropped just one game all season, a 1-0 loss to Beach powerhouse Salem.
``We don't have any superstars. It's a real team effort,'' Welliver said. ``If we play the way we've been playing, I don't see us losing the district tournament.''
The Wildcats (11-1-1, 6-0) own the top seed in the Southeastern District tournament and will begin play in the semifinals against defending tournament champ Western Branch (6-4, 3-3) on Tuesday at Oscar Smith High School. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
Second-seeded Deep Creek (8-5-1, 5-1) will face Churchland (5-6, 3-2) at Indian River on the same day and time.
Although Great Bridge has the top seed and an automatic bid to the Eastern Region tournament, the Bruins aren't a team they can roll over. In the regular-season meeting between the two, Western Branch put up a fight before eventually falling, 2-1, in double overtime.
``Western Branch is one of the toughest teams, probably the second toughest, in the district,'' Welliver said. ``Every goal in that game was on a penalty kick.''
The Hornets come into the tournament off their first district loss, 2-0 to Great Bridge in the season finale.
``We lost a heartbreaker. We really wanted to beat them,'' said Deep Creek coach Jamie Frazier. ``But we know we can play with anybody.''
Although three Great Bridge players - sweeper Jason Smithdeal and midfielders Justin Parker and Dan Diver - were tagged with red cards in that match, they will be eligible for the district semis after sitting out Friday's game against Lafayette.
Deep Creek defeated Churchland, 2-0, during the season, but Frazier said that ``it was an extremely tight, physical game that went right down to the wire.''
For the Hornets to come out on top against the Truckers for a second time, the brothers Gomez - midfielder Andre and sweeper Sean - will have to be on their game.
``We don't really score a whole lot, it's our defense that has been coming through,'' said Frazier.
Goalkeeper Nick Shockley has been red-hot down the stretch, recording three shutouts in the last five games.
``He's got outstanding quickness and a good feel for the game,'' said Frazier. ``He rarely gets caught falling asleep.''
According to Welliver, the Hornets need to shake off any disappointment from failing in their bid for the district regular-season championship.
``Deep Creek has to rebound from what has to be a tough loss for them,'' he said. ``Churchland's got Tommy Carter, and as long as he's on the field they'll be tough.''
Carter was an All-Group AAA honorable mention midfielder last year as the Truckers finished first in the district with a 5-1 record and placed second in the tournament.
The winner of the Deep Creek-Churchland match would automatically advance to the Eastern Region tournament should Great Bridge also make the district final. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Andre Gomez of Deep Creek
by CNB