THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512030252
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEVIN DOEPP, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
When Julie Miller's soccer career ended last year at Salem High School she knew that she wanted to play Division I collegiate soccer. The only question was where.
She visited Louisiana State and considered playing at a couple of California schools.
LSU was just beginning a women's soccer program and she was going to have to redshirt if she went to one of the California schools.
Enter UNC-Charlotte. The 49ers were heading into a new conference (Conference USA) and appealed to Miller, in more ways than one.
``I liked the fact that the school seemed so modern,'' Miller said.
She also found that her present coach, Robbie Church, was a man of his word.
``He was sincere in what he said that he would do for me,'' the 1995 first-team All-Tidewater selection said. ``And he came through with what he said he would do. He didn't put any pressure on me to come here.''
Miller would be thrown into the fryer right away, bypassing the frying pan. She started all 22 games and scored two goals and one assist for the season.
Her first goal was a game-winner in a 2-0 victory over Davidson and her other goal helped the 49ers to a 2-1 win over Charleston Southern.
That she started all of her team's games is remarkable for a freshman. Miller did take some much needed advice about starting.
``My coach told me not to lose my confidence and not be overwhelmed,'' Miller said. ``He just told me to play my game.''
A center midfielder, she was considered to be one of the team's main playmakers. For her efforts, she was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team, an unexpected honor.
``I didn't even know they had that award,'' Miller said. ``I was completely surprised and it was a real honor for me, too.''
As with most freshman athletes, there is an adjustment period from the high school level to the collegiate. Miller, found herself timid at times against the bigger schools, like Clemson or Virginia.
``It is different physically and mentally,'' Miller said. ``I didn't really notice how mental the game is now.''
MONARCHS REPORT: Four wrestlers did well in the Mat Town Invitational tournament held at Lock Haven University. Nick Hall placed first in the heavyweight division. Erick Shaw was second in the 126 pound division. Brian Miller finished fourth in the 118 pound division and Randy Devlin finished eighth in the 134 pound division. The Monarchs finished seventh out of 12 teams ... Golfer Josh Cupp is ranked as the 97th best golfer by the Rolex Collegiate Golf Tour and ranks 20th in eagles. Senior Chris Krueger is ranked 49th in subpar rounds with a 3.33 ... Lady Monarchs Allison Carr and Michele Kubicek were named to the women's soccer all-state team. Carr, a sophomore, finished the season with two goals and three assists for seven points. She was also a first-team All-CAA selection. Kubicek, a sophomore, was named to the honorable mention team. She led the team with seven assists this season and is the school career leader with eight. Kubicek was also a second-team All-CAA selection.
SPARTANS REPORT: The Spartans wrestling team has showed signs of moving on after some preseason problems in which a couple team members were out with injuries while another quit. They lost a close match to Delaware State in late November and tied Newport News in another.
Corey Williams, the team's most prolific wrestler, is unbeaten. They will travel to George Mason to face the GMU Quads on Saturday.
MARLINS REPORT: Striker Evan Whitson was named the Virginia Intercollegiate Soccer Association player of the year as selected by Virginia NCAA Division II and III schools.
Marlins coach Sonny Travis was named the coach of the year. Whitson led the team in scoring with 16 goals and eight assists and broke Mike McFarland's all-time career goal scoring mark of 50 with 56. Travis led the Marlins to ODAC and VISA championships as well as a sixth-straight NCAA playoff berth.
ALUMNI REPORT: Ken Howe (Kempsville), a senior forward for the Ferrum soccer team, was named All-Dixie second team. Howe was the team's leading scorer and holds five school offensive records including career goals and points ... Lori Clark (First Colonial), a sophomore defender for the Longwood College field hockey team, was named a second team Division II All-American by the College Field Hockey Coaches Association ... Brandy Wheeler (Cox), a senior striker at Shenandoah University was named to the women's All-South region second team. Wheeler finished her career as the school's all-time leading scorer with 51 goals and 30 assists for 132 points ... Eric Ferguson (Great Bridge), a sophomore at Shenandoah, was named to the All-South region soccer team. Ferguson, who transferred from Notre Dame, led the team in scoring with 10 goals and five assists. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Julie Miller started all 22 games as a freshman for the
UNC-Charlotte women's soccer team.
by CNB