THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 5, 1995 TAG: 9511050219
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRETT FRIEDLANDER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Evan Whitson's second-half goal and Scott Morgenroth's diving, fingertip save of Brian Thierrin's point-blank shot with just over three minutes left gave Virginia Wesleyan a 1-0 victory over Greensboro in the first round of the NCAA Division III men's soccer tournament.
The win sends Virginia Wesleyan into today's South Region final at 1 p.m. against host Methodist, a 4-0 victor over Maryville in Saturday's other game.
``One thing we learned in the nationals last year is that sometimes you have to win ugly,'' Virginia Wesleyan coach Sonny Travis said. ``That's what we did today. We needed a couple of breaks and a great save, but we're still alive to play again.''
The Marlins (18-0-1) struggled from the start against a Greensboro team content to slow the pace, lie back and play a counterattacking style.
The strategy appeared to be working, as neither team could manage more than two shots on goal through a scoreless first half.
Virginia Wesleyan finally broke through when Gary DePalma threaded a pass to Whitson at the 55:07 mark. Whitson converted the feed just inside the near post for his 13th goal of the season.
``At halftime, we realized we were playing their game and any time you play another team's game, you're vulnerable,'' Whitson said. ``We knew we had to pick it up. Once we began to kick the ball around and keep pressing, they fell into our hands.''
Still, the Marlins had to survive one last all-out Greensboro assault. The Pride (14-4-1) took five of their seven shots and earned seven corners during the game's final 15 minutes. Each time, though, Morgenroth and his defense stood their ground on the way to their 16th shutout in 19 games this season.
``They were sending as many people as they could to the ball, but we handled it,'' Morgenroth said. ``When you've given up only three goals all year, you learn to have total faith in your defense. I knew we'd come through, and we did.''
Greensboro 0 0 - 0
Virginia Wesleyan 0 1 - 1
Goal: Whitson (DePalma), 55:07. Shots: Greensboro 7, Virginia Wesleyan 4. Corner kicks: Greensboro 9, Virginia Wesleyan 3. Saves: Greensboro, Laraque 3; Virginia Wesleyan, Morgenroth 6. by CNB