THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 1996 TAG: 9606110476
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: 1996 ALL-TIDEWATER PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 74 lines
On a Kempsville boys soccer team loaded with talent, Adam Schultz was the player most likely to be remembered.
The guy made it easy by leaving the impression that he was always around the ball.
And he was the player area coaches pointed to first when asked about Kempsville's journey through the Group AAA state semifinals.
``He's a ball-winner,'' Cox coach Jim Snodgrass said. ``He's a true midfielder, because he's not just an attacking player, but an outstanding player defensively as well.
``He is the impact player.''
And the Kempsville junior is also The Virginian-Pilot's player of the year, giving him a sweep of area honors.
Schultz, who scored nine goals and had seven assists, was also the Beach District and Eastern Region player of the year and a first-team All-Group AAA selection.
``He can take over a game,'' Kempsville coach Kevin Denson said. ``He had a hand in most of our goals.
``When we needed a pickup, he would take charge. He has tremendous acceleration and is just about the quickest in the first 10 yards I've ever seen.
``And the kids get excited to watch a teammate do that. He showed leadership by his actions.''
Schultz was an Olympic Development Program national age group team member as a freshman and made the Region I team last year. He is awaiting word on this year's national team selections.
``I still feel like I need a lot of work,'' said Schultz, a first-team All-Tidewater pick last year. ``There are times when I know what's going on in a game, but I can't make things happen.
``Sometimes that gets frustrating.''
The rest of the first team:
Joey Broscious: A senior midfielder from First Colonial, he's the only other repeater on the first team. Broscious scored six goals, including two game-winners, and had four assists. He made the coaches' all-region first team and will play in the VHSL all-star game.
Peter Andersen: A senior midfielder from Kellam, he spurred the Knights to their first district and region titles with a team-leading 13 goals and 12 assists and was also named all-region and all-state.
Benji Flores: A sophomore midfielder from Granby, Flores played a role similar to that of Schultz.
He collected six goals and seven assists.
Gabe Valencia: A senior midfielder from Nansemond-Suffolk who has signed with William & Mary, he dominated the TCIS. Valencia, who moved to the area from Pennsylvania last summer, scored 17 goals and had 11 assists.
Kevin Knott: A junior forward from Kempsville, he's an ODP national age group player who was on the U.S. Youth Soccer Association's U-17 World Cup team. He led the Chiefs with 11 goals and three assists. He was first team all-region and second-team all-state.
Joe Verdi: A senior forward from Deep Creek, Verdi led the Southeastern District in scoring with 14 goals and had eight assists and was a second-team region selection.
Aaron Katrancha: A senior back from Maury, Katrancha was the Eastern District player of the year. The four-year Commodores starter was also named to the region's first team and will attend Pitt in the fall. He scored four goals and had 10 assists.
Chris Phelan: A senior back from Kellam, Phelan was best known for a flip-throw restart that was credited this year with one goal and three assists. He will play in the VHSL all-star game and was named to the region and state first-team.
Dave Lowery: A senior back from Cox, Lowery was the quickest member of his team. He displayed great skills in the air and scored twice on headers from restarts.
Nick Shockley: A senior goal keeper from Deep Creek, Shockley moved up from last year's second team. He is the all-region keeper and led the Hornets to a first-round upset of defending champion Lafayette in the region tournament. Shockley finished with a 1.1 goals-against average and had eight shutouts. by CNB