DATE: Thursday, May 1, 1997                 TAG: 9704290142

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  113 lines

CHURCHLAND TAKES THE LEAD IN EASTERN DISTRICT

THE ARRIVAL of Churchland in the Eastern District boys soccer scene has really caused a shakeup of the old status quo.

But it's not like league coaches weren't expecting it. In fact, they predicted it.

``They always give us a game, and that one set the tone for the season,'' Commodores coach Mohsin Bouziane said after his team lost to Churchland in the season opener. ``They're the team to beat.''

He was right.

As of Monday, the Truckers were leading the district with a 7-1 record, while Granby was second at 5-1-1. Surprisingly, defending champion Maury was third at 6-2.

But both losses came at the hands of the Truckers.

And after Maury's first loss to Churchland, Granby went out to prove it was a contender and beat the team to beat - handing the Truckers what has so far been their only loss.

And don't count out the district's other new member - Wilson. The Presidents are hot on trail of the district's top three and are only a game and a half behind Maury in fourth place.

So things are a little more interesting this year, to say the least.

Following is a look at Eastern District boys soccer teams and how they've been doing:

BOOKER T.

Last year's record: 0-12

1997 record (as of Monday): 1-9 overall and 1-7 in the district.

Key performers: Juan Alvarez, Jr., halfback; Joseph Raymundo, So., halfback; Kendrick Byrd, Sr., keeper; Robert Cofield, Jr., fullback; Oscar Operio, Jr., forward; Duwyne Williams, Jr., midfielder

Update: The Bookers were confident of improving over last year's winless season and several returning all-district honorable mention team members have made that somewhat of a reality. Unfortunately, BTW was being outscored 30-6 as of Monday.

CHURCHLAND

Last year's record: 7-5-1 (Southeastern tournament runner-up)

1997 record: 7-1-2, 7-1

Key performers: Landon Moore, Sr., midfielder; Stevie Hughes, Jr., midfielder; Stowe Buntz, Sr., defender; Ian Fagan, So., defender; John Powers, Jr., defender; Jackson Bright, Jr., defender

Update: Thanks to five returning starters back from last year's Eastern Region playoff team, the Truckers have taken their new district by storm. So far, that's been the case. Churchland has proved to be hard to score on, as most of the emphasis was placed defense. Before the season, scoring was a huge question, because entire starting lineup combined for less than 15 goals last season. But that question was put to rest in a big way, as Churchland has been outscoring opponents 27-7. Landon Moore leads the way with eight goals and four assists.

GRANBY

Last year's record: 7-6-1 (Eastern runner-up)

1997 record: 6-1-2, 5-1-1

Key performers: Phillip Shea, Sr., keeper; Joe Tumminelli, Sr., midfielder; Benjie Flores, Jr., midfielder; Frank Vasquez, Sr., defender; Eric Bates, So., midfielder; Jason Jackson, Sr., midfielder

Update: A couple of All-Tidewater players in Tumminelli and Flores have put first-year coach Patrick McStay's worries of another good year to rest. Granby has allowed the least goals of any district team - five - while scoring 23 goals (third in the district). Jackson, a transfer from Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, has been the leader so far, scoring seven goals. Flores has four and Tumminelli three.

LAKE TAYLOR

Last year's record: 4-6-4

1997 record: 0-8-1, 0-7-1

Key performers: Jeremy Timmons, Sr., sweeper; James Renn, Jr., midfielder; David Stonum, Sr., midfielder; Colin Davis, So., midfielder; James Wagoner, Sr., midfielder; Sean Harkias, So., stopper; Brad Bailey, Jr., keeper

Update: With only three starters back, the Titans are struggling. Lake Taylor has scored only three goals, while allowing a district-worst 35.

MAURY

Last year's record: 10-3-2 (Eastern champion)

1997 record: 6-3-1, 6-2

Key performers: Michael Glover, Jr., fullback; Parker Consual, Sr., midfielder; Hank Morton, Sr., midfielder, Rob Swanson, Coy David, Akili Echols

Update: The Commodores sport five seniors who have started since their freshman year and all but three starters returned. Glover, Consaul and Morton are the nucleus of the team, but Davis has proven to be the lead scoring threat, having pumped in 11 goals and one assists to put it in second place.

NORVIEW

Last year's record: 5-10

1997 record: 3-5-1, 2-4-1

Key performers: Willie Richards, Jr., keeper/midfielder; Joey Riveria, Sr., midfielder; Corry Gilmer, Sr., sweeper; David Jauke, Sr., defender; James Edwards, Sr., keeper/forward; Jeff Halbauer, Jr., midfielder

Update: With a lineup of young and inexperienced players, making an improvement over last year could be extremely difficult. But there is a chance it could happen. While the Pilots have only scored six times, they have only allowed 14.

WILSON

Last year's record: 2-13-2

1997 record: 4-3-1, 4-3-1

Key performers: Rob Campbell, Sr., midfielder; Josh Young, Jr., stopper; Josh Laskbrook, So., forward; Ade Patton, Sr., sweeper; Jeremiah Lawrence, So., forward; David Mick, So., midfielder; Brad Coles, Jr., keeper

Update: The Presidents got off to a good start in their new district and that helped a relatively young team get its feet wet. Five returning starters have kept things on track. Wilson is on the negative side of the offense/defense ratio, having allowed 17 goals while scoring just 16. But Lashbrook is among the area's scoring leaders in fourth place with seven goals and seven assists. KEYWORDS: BOYS SOCEER PREVIEW

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