DATE: Friday, June 13, 1997                 TAG: 9706110145

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   73 lines

WESTERN BRANCH'S COLLETT PICKED AS PLAYER OF THE YEAR ALL-SOUTHEASTERN SOCCER COACHES MADE CHOICE UNANIMOUSLY.

Western Branch high-scoring midfielder Steve Collett was the coaches' unanimous selection as the Southeastern District boys soccer Player of the Year.

The accomplishment was highlighted by the fact that Collett played in a district that featured some of the highest scorers in South Hampton Roads.

Hickory coach Brian Dugan - in his first year and coaching a first-year school - was named by his peers as the Coach of the Year.

Collett, a senior headed for Wingate College in Charlotte, N.C., scored 14 goals and dished out six assists for a district-leading 34 points for the runner-up Bruins. Collett was moved from the defensive side this year and responded well by playing both ends with skill. At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, he was a physical player as well as one with finesse.

``He's truly a coach's player,'' Bruins coach Ricky Bright said of his first-team All-Tidewater selection. ``He works hard to over-achieve and play above his ability. And he made the other kids on the team play better.''

Under Dugan, Hickory won the district's regular season title and tournament championship before heading into Eastern Region play. The Hawks placed four players on the first team.

Senior keeper Donnie Lawlis recorded nine shutouts and had 142 saves. Junior forward Robbie Gobble had 14 goals and three assists. Senior forward Mike Ervi had seven goals and nine assists. Junior defender Brad Cashman was a big reason why Lawlis had such a successful year.

Western Branch teammates joining Collett on the first team were sophomore forward Craig Johnson and defender Gabe Fritz. Johnson had four goals and four assists.

Great Bridge senior Billy Platz might have been the most versatile player in the league, seeing action at keeper and moving up to the forward line for eight goals and an assist. Wildcats junior forward Tom Mullen had 10 goals and four assists.

Deep Creek junior forward Guy Auguste led a rebuilding Hornets team with 10 goals and two assists.

Nansemond River senior forward Justin Pretlow led the area in scoring for several weeks before finishing with 13 goals and three assists.

Lakeland defender Coran Newton was known for his leadership on a team that struggled. Newton was an All-Tidewater first-team defender.

Second team: Justin Harcum, Travis Cook, Jason Torpey and Joel Burton of Hickory; Scott Schummate and David Early of Western Branch; Justin Parker and Pat Bryan of Great Bridge; Jeremy Shockley of Deep Creek; Eric Dunnigan of Oscar Smith; Danny Canada of Nansemond River; and Keith Arthur of Lakeland.

Honorable mention: Jason Chebetar, Jason Miller and Josh Dunavant of Hickory; Kyle Dunnigan, Mike Lewis, Danny Van Orman of Western Branch; Ryan Hammond, Ryan Rapier of Nansemond River; Bryan Rohrbaugh and Jeff Pineta of Oscar Smith; David Hunter, Scott Stewart, Pat McDuff of Great Bridge; Charlie Rainey and Keith Singler of Deep Creek; and Robbie Heard of Lakeland. ILLUSTRATION: Photos

Guy Auguste

Tom Mullen

Gabe Fritz

ETCraig Johnson

ETRobbie Gobble

ETBrad Cashman

Michael Ervi

Donnie Lawlis,

Billy Platz

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