DATE: Tuesday, May 27, 1997                 TAG: 9705270143

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   69 lines

CAVALIERS RIDE YOUTH MOVEMENT INTO GIRLS STATE SOCCER TOURNAMENT

Jerry Rafal's instructions to his team during Friday's Eastern Region girls soccer championship against Kempsville sounded almost ridiculous.

But in a Cinderella season for the Cavaliers, the coach has had little choice.

``Take the responsibility, Elizabeth,'' he shouted. ``You're a sophomore, don't wait for one of these freshmen.''

Looking for leadership from such a young player is arguably quite rare, but with a starting lineup that features five freshmen and as many sophomores, what else could Rafal do?

So young are his Cinderella Cavaliers that they probably wouldn't be allowed at the ball.

But to the big dance they are going, opening Group AAA quarterfinal play at 7 tonight at Central Region champion Douglas Freeman. Despite un-tested players, Princess Anne won the Beach regular season and tournament titles and finished as the Eastern Region runner-up.

The fact that Princess Anne surprised so many with its success against senior-oriented lineups like Cox and Kempsville could be enough to satisfy a team so new to varsity soccer.

But not the Cavaliers.

``These girls don't even realize what they've accomplished,'' Rafal said. ``They don't know the other teams and the talent they have. They don't.

``And that's probably been a big help.''

So has talent. While the Cavaliers are young, they are anything but inexperienced. Years of club travel soccer against some of the top teams in the state and region has given the team a skill level equal to that of its older opponents.

``They're just awesome,'' said Kati Barefoot, the lone starting senior. ``They brought in the most talent I've ever seen. This is the best team ever at Princess Anne.''

One that should be around for a few years - making it likely that the Cavaliers will be the power in Beach soccer for at least three more years.

Especially the way the team learned to play together in such a short period of time.

``We might not be experienced (with high school soccer), but we've got plenty of soccer behind us,'' said freshman Amy Caddies, who is second on the team in scoring with 15 goals and 14 assists. Sophomore Elizabeth Porter leads with 17 goals and seven assists.

``But we came together pretty quick, maybe quicker than we thought. At the first of the year, we were working it out. Then we picked it up the second half of the season and started working really well as a team.''

Everything the Cavaliers do this season is a step into uncharted territory and Rafal said that having to travel for the opening round of state competition might be a blessing equal to the team's lack of knowledge of opponents.

``It's going to be fun for them and, like what they've already done, they don't understand yet what's going on,'' he said. ``Just to get this far is great for such a team so young.

``And they know enough to know they want to win three more games.''

And doing so is quite possible.

Because, while this Cinderella team might be new to the ball, it's players definitely know how to dance. ILLUSTRATION: LAWRENCE JACKSON/The Virginian-Pilot

``We might not be experienced, but we've got plenty of soccer behind

us,'' said freshman Amy Caddies, second in scoring with 15 goals, 14

assists.

THE LINEUP

GRAPHIC

[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]

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