THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605190270
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
The Hampton Roads Mariners were dominant offensively Saturday night, posting a 3-0 victory over the Carolina Dynamo at First Colonial.
The Mariners controlled the tempo throughout the first half, relentlessly attacking in the box. Joe Herrmann consistently menaced the Dynamo defenders, forcing Carolina to focus more closely on stopping his attack.
``Joe Herrmann had the best game he's had,'' Mariners coach Shawn McDonald said. ``He caused so many problems for them. Defensively and offensively. Even though he didn't score a goal, I think he was so much of a factor in causing problems to them. That's the unknown. He occupied whoever he had to so that guy was a non-factor.''
Herrmann orchestrated the Mariners' kick-in that resulted in Mark Waite's opening goal. Waite leapt into the box and headed in the kick for a 1-0 Mariners' lead at 25:49 of the first half.
The Mariners continued to attack until the half, but were unable to add to the margin.
``I thought we came out and played very well right from the start,'' McDonald said. ``We played smart and moved the ball very well. It caused a lot of problems for them. The only thing we didn't do in the first half, for the number of times we got behind them, we didn't get a good shot off or capitalize and score.''
In the second half, Paul Cann legged the kick-in and Byron Mitchell took possession and slipped the ball into the back of the net to widen the gap to 2-0.
``We did a lot of things we haven't been doing,'' McDonald said. ``We were good on corners and kick-ins. I'm really happy and proud of our team for improving. I thought we played a solid game. It was one of our smartest, best games.''
Forward Danny Creech came off the bench late in the game and quickly scored a breakaway goal.
``It was a through ball for Paul Cann and I had momentum and I was closest to the ball, so I just went onto it,'' Creech said. ``(The defense) thought I was offside, so they just quit. I just finished through with it.''
Goaltender Matt Olson, who joined the Mariners two weeks ago, posted seven saves. He has allowed one goal in two games with Hampton Roads. Dynamo goaltender Scott Garlick deflected nine shots.
The Mariners (4-2, 2-1 Select League) host Tampa Bay Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Dynamo are 4-4 overall, 2-3 in the Select League. by CNB