1990_11 The Daily Collegian November 1990

              Thursday, Nov. 1, 1990
FSU spells defense l^cr-r-t-i-n-e-z
By Doug McLeod
- COLLEGIAN SPORTS WRITER
Versatile. Creative. Excels at every position.  ^
These are some of the adjectives used' when
describing the type of play that senior midfielder
Vlnce Martinez gives the Fresno State soccer team
every llmehe steps onto the field.
Martinez, a three-year letterman and two-time
second team All-Big West Conference selection, has
been if mainstay on the FSU squad since hl9
transfer from Cal-State Hayward three years ago.
"Basically, with IHaywardl being Division II. I
just wanted to play at a higher level." he said,
explaining his decision to transfer to FSU. " and I
had heard about Fresno's program and recleved a
call from Kirk (Steers, an FSU senior defenseman]
asking me If I wanted to play here."
Obviously. Martinez didn't take long to decide
and made the trip to Fresno. And since he
transferred from Division II to Division I. he was
able to play without sitting out a year
Martinez made an Immediate contribution his
sophomore year, starting In 23 of FSU's 24 matches,
and had two-goals and six assists to finish third on
the team In scoring with 10 points.
In 1989. Martinez started in 22 of the Dogs 23
matches, playing both mldfleld and defender In
helping the squad to 11 shutouts and a 17-3-3 record
while collecting three goals and three assists to
finish with nine points on the year.
This year, Martinez has been appeared In all of
FSU's games, and although he only has two goals
and one assist, he has anchored the Dog defense, an
outfit which set the single-season record for
shutouts with 12. collected Monday In Fresno's 1-0
win over conference rival UC Santa Barbara.
Martinez doesn't feel that he is anything special,
J ust because he can play anywhere on the field.
"Every one out here on our team has probably
played every position (also), so I Just play the role
[that the coaches give me]," he said.
Martinez says that although the team has 12
shutouts, he and the other defenders need to keep
from crossing that fine line between confidence and
cockiness.
You don't want to be cocky." he said, "but you just
want to be confident. When we get a lead, though. I
do like to talk some stuff to the other team.
"You play for shutouts, and If the other team gets
a goal, you feel like It's your fault"
Vlnce hasn't been feeling too guilty lately, as the
Bulldogs have shutout seven of their last nine
opponents, and gave up more than one goal Just once
this season, a 3-2 loss to Air Force In the high
altitude of Colorado.
Martinez thinks that If the Bulldogs finish this
season on a high note their chances of hosting a
playoff match will increase. He also hopes that If
they do get a chance to play at Bulldog Stadium, they
will race Santa Clara, the team which knocked FSU
out of the playoffs In.a heart-breaking 2-1 loss last
year and went on to become NCAA co-champions
with Virginia.  •
■«;,-. ti '..
Dennis McBr ail FSUSpotts hfo/motton
FSU senior defender Vlnce Martinez has started in 64 of 65 games in his three years here.
"Last year was a good year, but if we get some
home games, I know we can-go all the way." he said.
Martinez will lead the sixth-ranked Bulldogs (16-
2-2) Into a wekend road swing, taking on conference
foes Cal-State Fullerton and UNLV.
A   win   at   Fullerton   Friday   will   clinch   the
Bulldogs' third^stralght Big   West title, since they
hold a two-game lead over second-place UCSB.
Sunday's season finale at Las Vegas could provide
Martinez and the Dags with a serious test, as the
Rebels will be out to avenge a 4-0 drubbing FSU
handed them Sept. 27 at Bulldog Stadium.
College football needs a real Number
Top-f&nked University of Virginia is this season's sheep in wolfs aothihg-*
■*:f *v\if>*,J »<tj
^hris Branam
Something bugs me about the University of
Virginia football team being ranked No. 1 in
the country.
It bugs me that not a single commentator,
analyst, coach or player has said what we all
secretly know: they aren't that good.
Sure, they're the oafy major college football
team which is is undefeated and untied (not
counting 8-0 Nebraska, which essentially
plays a Division Q schedule.) But the
Cavaliers haven't exactly played top-notch
schools, either.
There was the win over then seventh-ranked
Clemson in the second week of the season.
After that, its slim pickings. In it's first week
after it was elevated to the top spot, Virginia
defeated "powerful" Rutgers. Come on.
Anyteam ranked in the top five ofthe
Associated Press Top 20 would beat Virginia.
Handily.
Second-ranked Notre Dame, as much as I
hate to say it. would man-handle Virginia.
They have too much personnel; and, of course,
the luck of the Irish.
Third-ranked Nebraska, like the Fighting
Irish,Just have too many outstanding athletes
tolosetoUVA
Fourth-ranked Auburn, even though it has
played down to its competition this yeanplays
to Its ability when its playing a quality
opponent
And fifth-ranked Illinois, who lost to
Colorado early in the season, would beat the
Cavaliers by two touchdowns.
Virginia's season reminds me of two years
ago, when West Virginia waltzed through an
easy shedule without a loss, only to be blown
away in the Fiesta Bowl by, you guessed it
Notre Dame.
.   The similarities between the Cavaliers and
the Mountaineers are frightening. WVU had an
outstanding college quarterback. Major
Harris, whose favorite target was a big wide
receiver with hands like glue named Reggie
Rembert Virginia also has a great
quarterback of it's own, Shawn Moore, who
frequently hooks up wit h lanky wideDCfxiver
Herman Moore (no relation to ShawnHbVthe
big play. Moore last dropped a pass In pee-wee
baft.
My prediction' is history will repeat itself:
Notre Dame will defeat Virginia in a New
Year's Day bowl game to claim it's second
National Championship in three years.
That is. if my Southern California Trojans
don't mop up the Coliseum floor with the
"Golden Domers" November 24.
See BRANAM, page 7
Correction
New York GUuvU running back
Rodney Hampton wm»
incormsth/ldentifledinthe
story on Hark Adams which ran
Wednesday. Collegian Sportm
regret* thla error.   -