THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 4, 1996 TAG: 9608040234
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HIGH POINT, N.C. LENGTH: 42 lines
The Hampton Roads Mariners are still in search of playoff spot after suffering a 2-0 loss to the Carolina Dynamos Saturday.
Hampton Roads (16-5 overall, 11-4 Select League) needs to win against South Carolina today or at Delaware Wednesday to guarantee the slot in the Select League South Atlantic Division Playoffs. Carolina (18-5, 14-3), clinched first place by beating Hampton Roads.
The Mariners travel to Spartanburg, S.C. today to play the second-place Shamrocks.
The Dynamo dominated throughout, striking fast and often. The Mariners took more than 15 minutes to place the ball in their attacking zone. The defense constantly swatted long passes past the midfield when no forwards were in position. Carolina's defense picked up the passes and quickly restructured an attack.
Despite Carolina's dominance, the game remained scoreless until 1:45 into the second half when Kevin Sloan scored from the left to put the Dynamo up 1-0.
At 11:26, the Dynamo struck again as Micheal Dailey slipped in the shot amidst a driving rainstorm.
``I think we've played alot of games and it's taken it's toll,'' Mariners coach Shawn McDonald said. ``We need more quality. It's definitely taken it's toll, playing so many down the stretch, but I don't believe that's an excuse.
``I thought the first guy in had it easy. We need to regroup and toughen up mentally.''
The Dyanamo outshot the Mariners 20-18. Mariners keeper Matt Olson posted nine saves and Scott Garlick had four.
Defensively, Hampton Roads dropped Chris Peeny back into a sleeper role to replace Jim McGeough, who was sitting out a recard suspension.
Byron Mitchell covered Dyanamo threat Chugger Adaire, holding Adaire scoreless and forcing him into drawing a yellow card caution. Dailey and Carlos Garcia kept up the pressure on Olsen.
McGeough will be eligible to play today.
``It makes it very difficult to get into second place,'' McDonald said of the loss. ``These two teams are tough. We were the best at one time. Now is the time for us to pick it up.'' by CNB