THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 24, 1996 TAG: 9604240596
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
A good shooter? Sure, Princess Anne coach Jerry Rafal wanted one of those when choosing a player to attempt his unranked team's first penalty kick in a scoreless game against then-fifth-ranked Tallwood.
But he also wanted a player with confidence and smarts, a player who wouldn't be overwhelmed by the pressure of executing an otherwise routine 12-yard shot with spectators and members of both teams anxiously looking on.
Dana Weaver, although only a freshman, was that kind of player, her coach felt.
``Dana, go take the penalty kick,'' Rafal said.
``Oh, great,'' muttered Weaver.
As a defender, Weaver, whose extensive soccer experience includes four years as a member of an Atlantic Soccer Club travel team, had become accustomed to being asked to stop an opponent from scoring. But scoring herself?
``It never even entered my mind,'' she said. ``I mean, there were 10 other people on the field. I hadn't scored a goal all year. Why me?''
Rafal would say later there was no doubt in his mind Weaver would deliver.
``She's a great all-around player,'' he said. ``She can play anywhere on the field. Most of all, she's confident.''
And the rest of the Cavaliers celebrated Rafal's selection as though the shot was already tucked neatly into the Tallwood goal.
``I'm thinking, we've got a goal here,'' Cavaliers co-captain Cathy Lewis said. ``We've got complete confidence in Dana.''
Meanwhile, a stunned Weaver turned to teammate and friend Brenna McGloine and said softly: ``I'm going to miss.''
But upon receiving the ball from the referee, Weaver transformed herself from an anxiety-riddled freshman to a calculating, seasoned performer. First she rattled off a mental checklist - choose placement over power, avoid looking at her preferred corner lest you tip your hand to the keeper, don't rush.
She then set the ball down, and on the referee's whistle, calmly buried the ball into the bottom right corner of the Tallwood goal.
``A perfect shot,'' Rafal said. And one that earned her Virginian-Pilot athlete of the week honors.
``Nice goal! Nice goal!'' shouted the Cavaliers as they mobbed Weaver for notching the point that led to a 2-1 victory.
``All I felt was relief,'' she said. ``My teammates congratulating me was the coolest part. I was just glad I didn't blow it.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Dana Weaver]
by CNB