THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604190261
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 32 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Beach District boys soccer coaches predicted early that this would be another helter-skelter season of parity and if early outcomes are any indication, those coaches had better start buying some lottery tickets.
So far, they've been right on the mark. But in a district as competitive as the Beach, nobody's surprised.
``It's really not that crazy,'' Kempsville coach Kevin Denson said. ``This is a tough district and there are a lot of good teams.''
Denson's team entered Friday's game unbeaten in district play, tied with First Colonial at 2-0. Both trail 3-0 Kellam.
``I've never been very comfortable on top this early in the season,'' said Denson, whose Chiefs were 5-0-1 overall heading into Tuesday. ``Whoever wins the district is going to have a loss, or at least a tie. I'd think so.
``9-0? Whew. Then two tournament games? The days of winning the district and then the tournament are behind us now. There are just too many good teams.''
Things might become a little more clear midway through this week after Kempsville and Cox meet on Tuesday in what is supposed to be the biggest game of the year.
But in a district race that sees teams play each other only once, every game has become big.
Cox coach Jim Snodgrass, whose Falcons lost to Kellam last Tuesday night and were to face upstart Bayside Friday, still feels Kempsville has the team to beat. Whether that's a mental ploy or not is yet to be seen.
``I think that the more Kempsville plays without losing, the better they're going to get and the tougher to beat they'll be,'' said Snodgrass, whose team bounced back from the Kellam loss with a 4-1 victory over Great Bridge. ``But it will come down to who stays healthy because you've got Kellam, First Colonial, Salem, us. . . and don't overlook Princess Anne, either.''
Another game last week that lent validity to the predictions was Salem's upset loss 2-0 to Bayside.
But even with one district loss this early in the season, Sun Devils coach Ken Fabian was undaunted.
``We just didn't finish,'' he said. ``We had 30 shots to their three. Most of ours were right at their keeper and they managed to score on two of their three shots. They played well and capitalized.
``But in this district, anything can happen and the winner is going to have at least one loss anyway.''
First Colonial - whose only blemish on last year's district record was a tie - has bounced back from a season-opening upset loss to Maury by winning six straight games. The Patriots were to face Princess Anne Friday and then Green Run this Tuesday - not getting a real strong challenge until neighborhood rival Cox this Friday.
As of Wednesday, Kempsville led the area in scoring with 25 goals in six games for a 4.17 average. Surprisingly, unranked Indian River of the Southeastern was second with a 4.14 average in seven games.
Third overall and second in the Beach was Kellam with 35 goals in nine games for a 3.89 average. Eastern leader Maury was fourth with 3.6 a game, while Salem was fifth at 3.57. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Kellam's Chris Scott, right, celebrates with his teammates after the
team scored its first goal against Cox. Joining in the celebration
were Dustin Keesee, left, and Peter Andersen, background.
by CNB