THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9603300081
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 188 lines
IN BOYS SOCCER, the Beach District is from top to bottom the most successful district in the Eastern Region and arguably one of the top two in the state.
Evidence stems from several state championships won by Cox and Kempsville, as well as numerous state appearances by Green Run and Salem. More proof comes from individual athletes, many of whom are Olympic Development Program players in state, region and national levels.
The Beach and its select programs have also produced some outstanding collegiate players.
So picking a favorite for each high school season is often a monumental task.
This season will be no different.
``Winning the district title is going to be tough, big time,'' Kempsville coach Kevin Denson said. ``There are going to be a lot of teams fighting in close games early on.
``The good thing from all this, though, is that the two teams that advance out of the district are already going to have five or six games against outstanding competition under their belts. I don't think anybody else in the state can say that.''
On paper, Denson's Chiefs are the team to beat, as the roster sports a couple of national age group performers and twice as many region pool members.
And while it lost its top three scorers from the past two years, Cox again tosses its hat into the fray with a more balanced lineup that found out just how good it could be with great performances last weekend against two of the top teams in the state in Hylton and Woodbridge.
While the Chiefs and Falcons should be the teams to beat, their coaches know not to count out the likes of First Colonial, Salem, Kellam, Princess Anne and Tallwood. The critical part will be getting their players to realize that and play up to their potential.
With teams meeting only once in a nine-match district schedule, every outing is of the utmost importance.
Granby and Maury will, as usual, battle it out for the Eastern District title. Granby is the defending champion.
In the Southeastern District, Deep Creek, Churchland and Western Branch will try to dethrone defending champion Great Bridge.
Following is a look at Beach District boys soccer teams:
BAYSIDE
Coach: Todd Sherman.
1995 record: 1-13 overall, 0-9 in the district.
Key performers: John Porter, Jr., back; Kevin Churwa, Jr., back; Phil Vickers, Jr., keeper; Matt Scott, Sr., back; Jimmy Leffler, So., midfield; Niatt Gamble, Fr., midfield; Ignacio Pablaciones, Jr., midfield.
Outlook: The Marlins' youthful lineup will be forced to play with little backup, as depth is a major problem. But the starting 11 has the ability to surprise a few teams. The Marlins have gotten off to a good start with victories over Oscar Smith and Booker T.
COX
Coach: Jim Snodgrass.
1995 record: 13-4-3, 5-2-2.
Key performers: Chris Frech, Sr., midfield; Jamie Hart, Sr., back; Amir Nekoumand, Sr., midfield; Colin Kibler, Jr., keeper; Gordon Peters, Sr., midfield; David Lowery, Sr., back; Simon Allen, Sr., forward; Pat Kilkenny, Jr., midfield; David Kozak, So., forward; Trey Calisch, Sr., sweeper.
Outlook: It's hard to believe that people are saying the Falcons are better than the past three extremely successful campaigns - what with the loss of the top three scorers in Matt Whalen, Matt Wilbricht and Nathan Vrooman. But that's the scuttlebutt and performances in a 1-0 loss to defending Group AAA champion Hylton and a 1-0 victory over perennial state power Woodbridge last weekend lend validity to all the talk. Snodgrass calls this bunch the ``No-Names,'' as the lineup for the first time in ages features no returning All-Beach or All-Region first team selections. But the chances are good that opponents will quickly learn the names of this year's Falcons.
FIRST COLONIAL
Coach: Joe Tucei.
1995 record: 13-3-2, 8-0-1.
Key performers: Joey Broscious, Sr., midfield; Corey Fogle, Sr., keeper; Craig Collins, Sr., forward; Tab O'Donnell, Sr., back; Jeff Pluta, Sr., midfield; Pat Crawford, Sr., midfield; Andrew Curran, Sr., back; Jesse Harris, Sr., forward; Ryan Beshany, Sr., midfield; Drew Gilmer, Jr., midfield; Nick Pantalo, So., back.
Outlook: The Patriots weren't taken very seriously until later in the season and by then it was too late - First Colonial had won its first district title in years.
A repeat will be tough, as the team lost seven seniors, including many who made up a stingy defense.
Still, First Colonial will be competitive. Broscious is an all-district scorer with 10 goals and eight assists and Fogle allowed only a .81 goals-against-average.
GREEN RUN
Coach: Chris Jacobs.
1995 record: 5-8, 3-6.
Key performers: Charles Cowden, Sr., keeper; Jermaine Maull, Sr., forward; Mark McMullen, Jr., forward; Jesse Ortiz, Jr., back; Shawn Ortiz, Jr., back.
Outlook: The Stallions are young, but seasoned veterans Cowden, Maull and McMullen offer balance.
Jacobs has set a team goal of making this year's six-team tournament, where anything - including a trip to the region - is possible.
The Stallions got a confidence booster with a 1-0 season-opening victory over Eastern District champ Granby.
KELLAM
Coach: Don Hart.
1995 record: 9-4-2, 5-3-1.
Key performers: Jay Gunia, Sr., midfield; Chris Phelan, Sr., sweeper; Dustin Keesee, So., forward; Peter Andersen, Jr., midfield/forward; Ryan Key, So., midfield; Jeremy Kent, Sr., stopper; Jason Bonnett, Sr., midfield; Ed Stockunas, Sr., midfield; Pat Ricci, So., back; Mike Binetti, So., back; Kendrick Jacobs, Sr., forward.
Outlook: Like many of the top teams in the district, the Knights have several players with Olympic Development Program experience - a must if a run at the title is expected. Stockunas is the leading returning scorer for the team with 10 goals and seven assists. Keesee is a member of the state U-16 championship select team and had three goals and seven assists last year.
KEMPSVILLE
Coach: Kevin Denson.
1995 record: 6-6-2, 4-4-1.
Key performers: Joe Buchholz, So., forward; Ryan Haggerty, Jr., midfield/back; Bayne Keenan, Jr., back; Kevin Knott, Jr., midfield; Derrick Lawver, Jr., back; Joe Moriarity, Jr., forward; Adam Schultz, Jr., midfield.
Outlook: The Chiefs feature four ODP region pool and two national pool players, led by U-17 World Cup Team member Knott. Buchholz is currently on the U-16 national team. With that kind of talent, the Chiefs are - on paper - one of the strongest teams in the state. But to win in this district, the players will have to develop more of a ``team'' sense than was exhibited last season. With only one senior on the roster, that likely won't be a problem. The only real problem is the one the Chiefs will be handing out to opponents.
OCEAN LAKES
Coach: Jeff Steckroth.
1995 record: 1-13, 1-8.
Key performers: Tony Asperin, Jr., back; Chris Lane, Sr., forward; Chad McAdoo, Jr., forward; Justin Lamb, Sr., midfield.
Outlook: Asperin returns from a serious knee operation last year and McAdoo is also back after sitting out a year. McAdoo teams up on the forward line with speedster Lane to form a formidable attack. Defense, especially at keeper, will be a problem.
PRINCESS ANNE
Coach: Matthew Delaney.
1995 record: 6-7, 3-6.
Key performers: Josh Price, Sr., midfield; Todd White, Sr., midfield; Charles Blaylock, Sr., keeper; Billy Peterson, Jr., striker; Ashley Cerino, Sr., midfield; Chris Hawkins, Sr., defender; Richie Russ, Jr., defender; Russel Tolerton, Jr., defender; Tom Fogerty, So., defender.
Outlook: The only thing left for the Cavaliers to prove is that they can play against the district's elite. On paper, PA has what it takes. Peterson - a first team Beach and second team All-Tidewater selection - is one of three four-year starters who will provide leadership.
SALEM
Coach: Ken Fabian.
1995 record: 12-4-1, 7-1-1.
Key performers: Jason Gregory, Sr., back; Josh Morgan, Sr., midfield; Pat Murphy, Sr., midfield; Dan Spence, Jr., midfield; Bryan Henry, Jr., midfield; Robert Munson, So., midfield; Kevin Miller, So., midfield; Matt O'Neal, So., keeper; Ryan Ramsey, So., midfield.
Outlook: The Sun Devils lost 10 seniors to graduation and four of them combined for 33 of the team's 52 goals. Rebuilding that kind of overall scoring threat will be the key to success this season. Gregory is the top returning scorer and hopefully will anchor the effort.
TALLWOOD
Coach: Chris McVey.
1995 record: 11-5, 6-3.
Key performers: Dan Davan, Jr., midfield; Robert Dillard, Sr., fullback; Richard DuBose, Sr., fullback; Brendan Gillman, Sr., midfield; Shamari Hollingsworth, Jr., forward; Shawn Paden, Sr., keeper; Keith Saunders, Sr., midfield; Tony Vardaro, Sr., fullback.
Outlook: The big question for the Lions will be finding somebody to try on the shoes of graduated scoring machine Danny McVey - who set the Beach all-time scoring mark with 73 goals. Ironically, it is his older brother - who owned the previous record - who will be left with figuring out who to give the shoes to.
Tallwood will undoubtedly be in a rebuilding mode this season, but should at least qualify for the district tournament. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by STEVE EARLEY
Mike Greene, a player on the Kempsville High Chiefs, prepares for a
season where his team is the one to beat in the Beach District.
``Winning the district title is going to be tough, big time,''
Kempsville coach Kevin Denson said. ``There are going to be a lot of
teams fighting in close games early on.''
Kevin Knott, a junior at Kempsville High, plays midfield on the
Chiefs. He's also U-17 World Cup Team member.
by CNB