Bulldog soccer finding groove (m'ville bulletin)

[mhsalum 31]

Bulldog soccer finding groove

By JOHNNY BUCK

Bulletin Sports Writer

 

 

Just a few months ago the Bulletin ran a story previewing Piedmont District soccer. The gist of the boys' preview was this: Martinsville may fall from atop the PD standings for the first time in school history.

 

"The streaks" as they're sometimes referred to by MHS alumni and parents are, by now, well documented. The Bulldogs have lost only a handful of regular season games in close to 20 years of play, and they've never failed to win the district title or the district tournament championship.

 

So the year began with quiet apprehension among many Bulldog faithful. Last year's state-semifinalist team graduated 10 players from a 15-man roster. How would the boys in red and white hold up this year, with school consolidation giving Martinsville one of the smallest enrollments in the district, many wondered?

 

Early in the season things didn't look good. Not far into regular season play, Martinsville sat in third place, having lost at Magna Vista and Bassett for the first time in school history. Head coach Pete Scouras couldn't find finishers on a team that played tough defense but often failed to score the timely goal.

 

"When the ball's being bounced around in the box you've got to have guys hungry to go get it," Scouras said Tuesday night during a phone interview. "You've got to have guys willing to give up their body or whatever it takes to score that goal. Goal scoring -- you've got to want to do it. You've got to be hungry."

 

That hunger was missing early this season, but it certainly showed up in Monday night's victory over rival Magna Vista.

 

"Martinsville played their butts off," Magna Vista coach Marvin Martin said Monday. "They hustled. They won the majority of the loose balls in the air.

 

"They were on a mission tonight. I have to tip my cap to them beaus they played one great ballgame."

 

Not only did they play inspired soccer to claim a piece of first place with Bassett, they finished. Three different players scored in Martinsville's 3-1 victory.

 

"One real bright spot is when you have multiple guys scoring," Scouras said. "It's great when you can spread it around and not rely on one guy.

 

Passing's the key. You spread out the other team's defense and it gives you more chances."

 

The team that defeated Magna Vista Monday night is different from the one that started the year by losing both preseason scrimmages by lopsided scores. While working on the metamorphosis, Scouras didn't shy away from bringing up the program's storied history.

 

"Eventually it's going to end," he said of the streaks. "Its got to -- all streaks come to an end. The team that happens to, its going to be something that they'll have to remember for the rest their lives. That's a motivational tool but also a reality. So far we've come from being in third to tied for second to tied for first. (The streaks are definitely a motivator) to the seniors. It means a lot to them. They're graduating; they won't be back next year."

 

But more than the streaks, Scouras credited his teams depth and the competitive practices deriving from that depth.

 

"Our bench guys have really helped," he said. "They make the starters better by pushing them. We've got people who can go in at any spot and get the job done and I have confidence in all of them. I didn't have that (depth) last year with only 15 players. Down the stretch that really comes in to play."

 

That stretch will include a game tonight at Dan River, as well as games with Patrick County, Tunstall and a trip to Bassett in the final game of season. Tied atop the district standing with Bassett, Martinsville's mission is obvious.

 

"The ultimate goal is to win the district title," Scouras said. "If you win district the tournament is like gravy. You don't have to win the tournament (to qualify for regionals). We've got to keep winning and take care of our own business. If we can do that we win district; if not,we've got to get help."