THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 12, 1996 TAG: 9607120637
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 39 lines
The Hampton Roads Mariners snapped out of a lethargic state, tallying three goals in eight minutes for a 3-0 shutout of Select League rival Raleigh Thursday night at First Colonial.
The Mariners and Flyers battled through 76 sluggish minutes before the Mariners' offense erupted. Sterling Wescott took command, racing down the left sideline and ripping a pass to newcomer Shawn Cassella. Cassella tipped the pass to Mark Waite who blasted a shot past keeper David Allred for a 1-0 lead.
Five minutes later, Mariners keeper Matt Olson punted the ball to Ryan Leib just outside the box. Leib tumbled past keeper Allred, who came out to meet the attack, passed the ball to himself around the lone defender standing in front of the goal and scored.
``When things start going your way and you start getting your breaks, you just want to make the most of your opportunities,'' Leib said. ``I just want to keep contributing for the team. That's all you can do.''
Less than three minutes after Leib's goal, Cassella broke away and blasted the third and final goal. Cassella joined the Mariners earlier this week.
``We didn't have any fire the first half,'' Leib said. ``We looked a little out of sync. We've got a couple of new guys out there, a couple of guys that haven't been training for a while.
``But once we start getting used to each other a little more, I think it'll come around.''
Olson earned his sixth shutout.
Hampton Roads (12-3, 7-2) edged up a slot in the Select League standings with the win. If the Mariners defeat Raleigh (10-9, 6-8) on the road Saturday, the Mariners would move into third place with five games remaining. The top three teams in each division advance to the playoffs.
McDonald said the Mariners' late rally demonstrated the team was back in shape for a playoff run.
``At the end of the second half, we were back on track,'' McDonald said. ``That was great. That final 20 minutes was as well as we've played.'' by CNB