University of Virginia Library

Roanoke Ties Booters
In State Championship

Things Sure Went Sour-Coach Lawrence Watches Cavaliers

Wahoos Need Win Over Maryland For Disappointing 4-6 Season

Coming up with a "terrific
performance," in the words of
Head Coach Gordon Burris,
Virginia's booters broke Roanoke
College's three year grasp
on the state title with a 0-0
double overtime tie in the rain
at Roanoke yesterday afternoon.

The Cavaliers outshot the Maroons
at a 2-1 ratio but Roanoke's
goalie, "probably the best we've
faced all year," made many spectacular
saves to offset a number of
fine setups by second-year man Jay
Connor. Coach Burris, reiterating
his point, said the "breaks just
didn't go our way but then they
had all season. We completely
dominated play in the first, third
and fourth periods. The rain was
the only thing that prevented some
of our shots from hitting home."

In the second period the Maroons
gained the offensive, but a
fine overall defensive effort inhibited
the Roanoke attack. In fact the
fullbacks were so effective that
goalie Danny Abramson only had
eight saves, four below his seasonal
average.

For the most part the game was
dull, as the steady driving ran
quickly turned parts of the field
into slippery mud, causing both
teams to run for shelter as soon as
the game was over.

The game was the first title tie
in the state tourney's history but
will not be replayed. It was
Virginia's second tie of the fall,
second straight post-season game
and second straight game without
scoring.

Still, the 9-1-2 record is by far
the University's finest soccer record,
the state title 'tie is the
Cavaliers' first and the Atlantic
Coast Conference crown is
Virginia's initial soccer title ever.

Maryland, which was tied by the
Cavaliers 2-2 early in the season and
beaten by North Carolina 3-2 to
give Virginia the championship,
defeated the Cavaliers 5-0 last
Saturday to gain the honor of
engaging South Florida, 11-0 this
Saturday in an NCAA Regional
final. Should the Terps win they
will be in excellent shape to defend
the national title they won a share
of last year.