THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 22, 1996 TAG: 9608220564
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 27 lines
Bob Warming debuts as the Monarchs coach when Old Dominion hosts Virginia Tech in a exhibition game at 7:30 tonight.
``We're using this as a practice for the conference season,'' said Warming, whose team is in the midst of two-a-day practices. ``We want to be a good team in October. Maybe we won't be our absolute sharpest (tonight). We had so many things to work on, we're not letting this get in the way of the big picture of the program.''
The big picture includes building on last season's success, when the Monarchs were 10-9-1 overall and 4-3-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association. Gutted by graduation, the Monarchs must recover from the loss of All-CAA and All-South Atlantic Region defender Byron Mitchell, All-CAA goalkeeper Nathan Olansen and second-team All-CAA midfielder Raul Ovalle.
Carlos Vasco and Mark Woods, who had strong seasons last year, are back. Vasco, a senior forward, netted 17 goals.
Virginia Tech returns seven lettermen, including Virginia Beach native Matt Whalen, a second team All-Atlantic 10 freshman.
Proceeds from the exhibition match will benefit the Hampton Roads Soccer Council and its construction of a 19-field, $2.5 million soccer complex at Princess Anne Park in Virginia Beach. by CNB