THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 1, 1995 TAG: 9509280208
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 34 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Soccer, a growing sport in the United States, has found its way to Edenton-Holmes High School. Recreation soccer leagues in Edenton have always been strong, but now competition at the varsity level has begun and the Aces have come out with a bang.
Fielding a small eight-game schedule, Edenton was 2-2 through the first half, including wins over established programs at Northeastern High School and Cape Hatteras High School.
``It really was a boost to win the first game against Northeastern and a confidence builder for the team,'' said head coach Scott Parrish.
The Aces are competing in ``Conference One,'' which also includes Roanoke Rapids, Manteo and Cape Hatteras. Manteo proved to be a difficult opponent in Edenton's first-ever varsity match.
``We lost to Manteo 10-1. It was a learning experience. Manteo played a really aggressive, physical game. They communicated well and moved the ball well. We saw what a high school soccer game was going to be like,'' Parrish said.
The 20 players who came out for tryouts at Fisher Field were not novices.
``They've been interested in starting a program here for years. The recreation department has a strong program for kids up to 15. The high school team seems like a logical progression,'' Parrish said.
``There was a lot of support from the community. A lot of students were looking for something at the varsity level,'' he added. ``The parents in the community and the school administration were pushing for it.''
Parrish, a science teacher at the high school, said he thought the turnout for tryouts was good considering the late notice that the program would start this season.
``We had 20 come out and I kept them all,'' he said. ``It's good for the first year. We didn't find out we were going to have the program until after school ended. Some didn't know about it. Next year we'll have a bigger turnout.''
As for individual talent, Clell Morgan had scored a goal in each of the first four games before breaking his arm against Cape Hatteras. Otherwise, Parrish said it has been a team effort. by CNB