DATE: Thursday, August 28, 1997             TAG: 9708270198

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 27   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   98 lines

RETURN OF COACH AND TOP SCORER BODES WELL FOR NORFOLK COLLEGIATE

The balance of power in TCIS soccer is shifting to the Peninsula where defending champion Hampton Roads is favored to repeat and Walsingham rates a sleeper label.

``HRA has great coaching and tons of talent,'' Norfolk Academy coach Sean Wetmore says.

Norfolk Collegiate, which tied for first in the regular season and lost to HRA in the tournament final, welcomes back veteran coach Jim Snodgrass and sniper Bobby Mitchell, who has scored more than 40 goals in two seasons.

Norfolk Christian and Norfolk Academy should also contend.

Here's a preview of the South Hampton Roads teams in the TCIS:

NORFOLK COLLEGIATE

Coach: Jim Snodgrass

Last year's record: 13-4-1 overall, 6-1-1 TCIS

Top returnees: Bobby Mitchell Sr., striker; Marc Gauthier, Sr., stopper; Aaron Zinovis, So., midfield; Taylor Franklin, So., striker; Jason Garrett, Jr., midfield.

Outlook: Mitchell is a big-time goal-scorer and plays for Al Albert's Williamsburg Wizards travel team. Zinovis is at center-mid and Gauthier is a strong marking back. If the defense fills in and the goalkeeping comes through the Oaks will be in the race.

Coach's quote: ``We're young, but talented.''

NORFOLK CHRISTIAN

Coach: Rich Rose

Last year's record: 20-5-1 overall, 6-1-1 TCIS

Top returnees: Chad Grey, Sr., midfield; Zach Hardison, Sr., forward/midfield; Ryan Mulder, Sr., back; Ben Doyle, Sr., forward; Greg Ash, Sr., back; Andy McNabb, Sr., stopper; Jeff Elder, Sr., forward.

Outlook: Grey, Hardison, Doyle, Elder and McNabb combined for 58 of Ambassadors' school-record 104 goals last season . . . With exception of a new keeper the defense returns intact . . . Several tough games on the road.

Coach's quote: ``Many of these players have played together since kindergarten and thus unity and spirit should be a strength.''

NORFOLK ACADEMY

Coach: Sean Wetmore

Last year's record: 10-10 overall, 5-3 TCIS

Top returnees: Phil Hucles, So., forward; Marcus Stanley, Jr., midfield; Robbie Kane, Jr., midfield; Newk Newcomb, Sr., midfield; Jon Todd, Jr. defense; Stefan Coleman, Jr., midfield.

Outlook: Hucles was top scorer last season with 14 goals and 6 assists including a four-goal performance in the TCIS semifinals . . . Midfield returns intact led by Stanley, who scored 5 goals and 5 assists . . . Big holes are on defense and in goal, where senior Andy Coalter replaces 2-time All-TCIS keeper Barrie Chang.

Coach's quote: ``We probably have as much talent as we've had in several years.''

CAPE HENRY

Coach: Steve Luoma/Leroi Wilson

Last year: 7-8-2 overall, 3-3 TCIS

Top returnees: Brian Luoma, Jr., defense; Mark Pike, So., forward; Josh Brickman, So., forward; Ricky Frantz, Jr., midfield; Pat Cashman, Jr., midfield.

Outlook: Luoma and Wilson, a member of the Hampton Roads Mariners, have moved over to the boys team after coaching the girls last spring . . . Of seven returning starters, only one is a senior . . . Brian Luoma is a 2-time all-conference pick and was second-team All-Tidewater.

Coach's quote: ``This is a young team full of potential and promise.''

CATHOLIC

Coach: Karl Wesseler

Last year: 8-10-2 overall, 3-4-1 TCIS

Top returnees: John Kennedy, Sr., keeper; David Bennett, Jr., midfielder; Cory Brown, Sr., striker; Nick Hoyle, Jr., midfielder; Daniel Blohling, Sr., defender.

Outlook: The Crusaders hope to build off last year's State Catholic tournament title, but must adjust to a new coach in Wesseler . . . Kennedy was the backbone of last year's team and will have to be sensational for the team to move up . . . Brown must turn good scoring instincts into goals.

Coach's quote: ``The team appears to be motivated and technically sound.''

NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK

Coach: Tom Gill

Last year: 8-9-1 overall, 3-5 TCIS

Top returnees: Richard Starkey, Sr., goalie; Mike Curry, Sr., sweeper; Ramond Gegner, Sr., midfield; Jay Habel, Sr., forward; Saunders Roesser, goalie-midfield; Kris Beir, Sr., forward

Outlook: Defense is solid at the back end with Starkey (1.4 goals-against average) in goal and Curry at sweeper . . . Habel has been a top scoring threat for two seasons. Last year's numbers: 17 goals, six assists . . . Beir needs to improve on his two-goal season . . . Gill thinks team could contend if it displays desire, effort and sportsmanship.

Coach's quote: ``The search for commitment continues in order to build a winning program.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Collegiate's Bobby Mitchell

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