THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606060182
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 72 lines
THE PICTURE TOLD the story.
Cox defender Kim Iman sat alone near the center of the Falls Church soccer field and slowly took off her shoes.
She was in no apparent hurry.
It would be the last time she'd go through these post-game motions as a high school athlete and the Group AAA semifinal loss to Hylton wasn't how she wanted it to end.
``A lot of us are hurting right now,'' she said. ``We're all really just mad right now.
``I can't believe that it's all over.''
For the second straight season, the Falcons advanced to the semifinals and, for the second time, lost. This was a little harder to take because a lot of the starters will graduate in a few days.
``Losing is always very tough,'' Cox coach Terri Sawyer said. ``All these kids have played together for so long.''
Many were teammates on the Falcons' national record-setting field hockey team. They brought to the soccer team a strong desire to win.
``I think some of them are taking it very personal right now,'' Sawyer said. ``This is a tough one to accept.''
Especially considering the semifinal opponent.
Hylton's keeper - because of a bad knee braced for support - had little mobility. But the defense in front of her prevented the Falcons from getting off any quality chances.
``It was very frustrating that we weren't able to take advantage of that,'' Sawyer said. ``We just weren't able to get our shots off.''
The Cox players eventually worked their way back to the bright yellow school bus that would provide their long ride home.
All except Natalie Stumpf and Erica Webb.
``They're heading straight to New Jersey for a select tournament,'' Sawyer said.
And possibly a little redemption.
Several hours after the Cox game, the Kempsville boys were suffering through many of the same emotions.
With as talent-laden a team as you'd ever hope to find, the Chiefs expected to make it to the final as well.
It didn't happen.
Kempsville dropped a 1-0 decision to a hungry Clover Hill team that pulled off its second upset in two games - having defeated nationally ranked Hylton in the quarterfinals.
``Beating Hylton sure helped them,'' Chiefs midfielder Adam Schultz said. ``That was definitely their big motivator.''
Where Kempsville differs from the Cox girls is that the Chiefs will return a good portion of their lineup for another campaign.
``We're losing one senior,'' forward Kevin Knott said. ``We'll be back. Yep, we'll be back.''
The Kellam boys and Kempsville girls also represented the Beach in the state soccer tournament. Unfortunately, neither team made it out of the first round.
Kempsville was making it second straight appearance.
Kellam, however, was kicking in uncharted waters - having won its first district and region crowns and playing it its first state tournament.
The Knights will graduate quite a few seniors - making a return appearance tougher. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MIKE HEFFNER
Cox's Joanna Hale, left, and Cara Reske console each other on the
sidelines after the Falcon's 2-0 loss to Hylton in the state soccer
tournament semifinals in Falls Church.
Cox midfielder Cara Reske, left, beats Hylton's Carolyn Marin to a
loose ball during Friday's state semifinal soccer game. by CNB