THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 4, 1995 TAG: 9509040091
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
The Virginia Wesleyan men's soccer team deployed an explosive offense to overpower Moravian College 4-1 Sunday in the Blue Marlin soccer tournament championship.
The win was Marlins coach Sonny Travis' 100th at the college.
``I guess this means I've been here for a long time,'' Travis said. ``It feels great. I think Virginia Wesleyan is an outstanding place to coach and teach and to get to work with individuals.''
Travis has a 100-17-14 career mark in seven seasons. The Marlins were ranked No. 9 in the College Sports preseason Division III soccer poll earlier this year.
Sunday, the Marlins (2-0) demonstrated how they earned that ranking. Virginia Wesleyan dominated the game, maintaining a fast-paced offense. With 33:52 remaining in the first half, Larry Romaine headed in a goal on a cross pass from Ryan Crooks.
Less than six minutes later, Evan Whitson stormed the net and powered a shot at Greyhound goalkeeper Robert Swieconek. Swieconek deflected the shot, but Jim Hickling scored off the rebound to give the Marlins a 2-0 lead.
With 15 minutes left in the half, Greyhound Mike Kunder took a pass from Brian Beck and headed it into the net to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Gary DePalma and Crooks outran the Moravian defense on a breakaway with 1:53 remaining in the half. Crooks sailed a pass to DePalma, who netted the Marlins third goal.
DePalma struck again early in the second half on an assist from Hickling.
Earlier in the consolation game, former Norfolk Collegiate standout Mark Grissom scored two goals to pace Randolph-Macon past Haverford, 4-1.
DePalma was selected as the tournament's most valuable player. Other all-tournament team members: Virginia Wesleyan's Tyke Pantophlet, Crooks, Romaine and Hickling; Moravian's Kunder, Andy Benner, Gordon Grauer and Chris Goodrich; Randolph-Macon's Grissom and Mike Henning; and Haverford's Josh Lawlor.
Virginia Wesleyan plays at preseason No. 1 Ohio Wesleyan on Sept. 9. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MOTOYA NAKAMURA, Staff
Virginia Wesleyan's soccer team won its tournament, and coach Sonny
Travis notched his 100th victory Sunday.
by CNB