THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 21, 1995 TAG: 9506150405
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: 1995 ALL-TIDEWATER
BOYS SOCCER
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 119 lines
Fans, opponents and teammates alike have often been left in awe after witnessing the soccer skills of Danny McVey.
Displaying both power and finesse, the Tallwood senior forward is the most prolific scorer in South Hampton Roads public schools history.
McVey hurt opponents in a variety of ways - breakaways, posting up in front of the goal or with a few nifty moves through or around defenders.
``He scored one out of every three times he shot the ball,'' coach A. V. Bowman said. ``He is the best pure shooter I have ever seen. His quickness and speed make him so dangerous.''
McVey's talents drew crowds - the elbow-to-elbow kind offered by opposing defenses. He typically had to deal with more than one defender.
He was shut out twice, but played in only 14 games because of injury. He averaged two goals an outing - his total of 28 being the most in the state for Group AAA teams. He registered three hat tricks and had four goals in one game.
McVey is The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star's Player of the Year and heads the third-annual All-Tidewater team, which was selected by the newspaper staff in consultation with area coaches.
He is also a three-time All-Beach District selection and this year's district player of the year, as well as a first-team All-Eastern Region and and an All-Group AAA selection.
McVey finished his four-year high school career with a Beach District record 73 goals. Ironically, the 13-year-old record of 55 was owned by brother Chris, a former Green Run player.
``My dad started talking about it this year,'' McVey said. ``He started giving Chris a hard time that his record was finally going down.''
McVey broke the record early in the season with a three-goal performance against Kellam in the Kellam Classic.
``It's just great to have the record, especially since I broke my brother's,'' McVey said. ``Every time I go out, I just try to do the best I can.''
McVey gives football considerable credit for his performance this season. He tried out as the Lions place kicker for the first time and scored 23 points on 17 extra points and two field goals.
``I think all the work made my leg a lot stronger and that always helps,'' McVey said.
Last year's Tidewater, region and state player of the year Matt Whalen of Cox joins McVey on the first team. Heading for Virginia Tech this fall, Whalen had one of the biggest impacts the area has ever seen - playing everywhere but keeper. His 6-foot-4 size makes guarding him in front of the goal virtually impossible. Whalen finished the season with 17 goals and four assists as a midfielder.
Another impact player on this year's squad is Josh Bradley of Maury. The senior forward scored 23 goals and ends his career with 50 - remarkable because he has played on the forward line only two years.
Norfolk Academy senior forward Herb Eilberg is equally adept at scoring. He scored 30 goals and had nine assists. He is the third-leading scorer in Bulldogs history.
Beach District champions First Colonial is represented by senior midfielders Joe Young and Joe Broscious.
They combined for several game-winners that kept the Patriots unbeaten in district play. Young finished with nine goals and five assists and Broscious had 10 goal sand seven assists.
As good as they were at moving forward, they played key roles in backing up to form the front line of defense.
Joe Tumminelli led Granby to its second-straight Eastern District title. Only a sophomore, the midfielder played a key role with his leadership and attacking skills. He led the team with 13 goals, including all of the Comets penalty kicks.
The first team's other midfielder, Kempsville's Adam Schultz, was also a team leader on offense. The sophomore finished with nine goals and two assists.
Ben Speckhart of Cox and Jason Smithdeal of Great Bridge are the only true defenders on the team. Smithdeal - a senior - was a big reason for the Wildcats 10 shutouts. Only one district goal was scored on Great Bridge and that was a penalty kick he wasn't allowed to try and stop.
Speckhart - also a senior - was moved this season from his natural midfielder position to sweeper, but still managed three goals that were either game winners or equalizers. He made a diving head save of a Hylton shot to preserve a tie in the Kickoff Classic that Falcons fans are still taking about.
The keeper is Salem senior Chip Rohr. Although small in stature, Rohr showed good athletic skills in recording seven shutouts. He allowed an average of one goal a game in 15 games - including nine against powerful Beach District foes. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
PAUL AIKEN/Staff
Player of the Year
Danny McVey, Tallwood, Sr., Forward
Chip Rohr
Ben Speckhart
Herb Eilberg
Jason Smithdeal
Adam Schultz
Joe Young
Joe Tumminelli
Joe Broscious
Matt Whalen
Josh Bradley
Graphic
SECOND TEAM
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
by CNB