THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, August 17, 1996             TAG: 9608170540
SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER 
                                            LENGTH:   46 lines

MARINERS KICK OFF ROUND 2 TONIGHT AGAINST CAROLINA GAME 2 IN BEST-OF-THREE SERIES IS SET FOR NORFOLK ON TUESDAY.

The Hampton Roads Mariners begin the second round of the Select League soccer playoffs tonight at High Point, N.C., against the Carolina Dynamo.

The Mariners (17-6 overall, 13-5 Select League) open the best-of-threeseries at 7:30. Tuesday they will host the Dynamo at Old Dominion University.

The Mariners, who advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in their 3-year history with a 3-2 shootout victory over South Carolina on Wednesday, trained in North Carolina the past two days.

``It keeps us from traveling more,'' coach Shawn McDonald said. ``I don't think it'll really be an advantage, but we'll certainly be more rested.''

The regular-season champion Dynamo (19-5, 15-3) have been idle since Saturday.

``It's good because it allows us to work on a few things in training,'' coach Alan Dicks said. ``It's obviously a chance to assess what we want to do in the games ahead.''

Carolina midfielder Yari Allnutt and Chugger Adair spark a solid Dynamo offense. Allnutt has posted 15 goals and Adair 14.

``Allnutt is very good and has caused problems for us in the past,'' McDonald said. ``Their team is very balanced.''

Forwards Darren Eales and Ryan Leib will be absent from the Hampton Roads lineup. Eales is out for the season after aggravating a hamstring injury. Leib has started a new job as trainer at Holy Cross and is unable to attend the game.

Despite these losses, McDonald is confident the Mariners have found the key to winning crucial matches.

``I like our mentality now,'' McDonald said. ``We seem to find a way to win. For a while we didn't do that. There's no game plan, we're just going to go out and try to do the best we can.''

Dicks agreed the Mariners seem to have jelled.

``I saw them Wednesday against South Carolina,'' Dicks said. ``They're strong, very competitive. Winning in the shootout showed a lot of character. This will be a good game.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

Gamewatch

[For complete copy, see microfilm] by CNB