THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 28, 1995 TAG: 9510280476
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Evan Whitson turned in a record-setting performance to pace Virginia Wesleyan to a 6-0 pounding of Hampden-Sydney in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference men's soccer tournament semifinal Friday.
Whitson scored two goals to push his career mark to a school-high 51.
Mike MacFarland, who scored 50 goals from 1989 through 1992, witnessed the feat. After the game, he was quick to congratulate Whitson.
``I'm real excited,'' Whitson said. ``I'm glad there's a few games left so I can push it further out. I'm grateful to have the team I do. I can only do so much. They set me up; I just finish.''
Whitson got the goals out of the way early. He assisted on Gary DePalma's opening header into the net, then stood by as defender Nate Hatcher punched in a crossover from DePalma.
With 8:54 remaining in the half, Whitson took advantage of goalie Jason Scislowicz, who was out of position. Whitson hammered a shot into the blocking defender, took his own rebound and scored.
Two minutes later, he kicked in the history-making shot.
``He has been a steady performer since he was converted to a striker as a sophomore,'' coach Sonny Travis said. ``He was recruited as a sweeper. He has done a tremendous job for us. Personally, I'm glad it's out of the way and he can just go out and play.''
Virginia Wesleyan (16-0-1, 10-0) hosts Emory & Henry (13-3-1, 8-1-1) today at 2 p.m. Emory & Henry advanced by beating Randolph-Macon 3-2.
FIELD HOCKEY: In the ODAC semifinals, Sweet Briar defeated Virginia Wesleyan, 2-0. Christen Cummings of Virginia Beach assisted on one of Sweet Briar's goals.
Sweet Briar will play Eastern Mennonite, a 7-0 winner over Lynchburg, today in the final. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
``They set me up; I just finish,'' Evan Whitson said after scoring
his 50th and 51st career goals.
by CNB