THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 22, 1996 TAG: 9608220540
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 46 lines
The Hampton Roads Mariners will host three games of the Select Six national championships next week at Old Dominion University.
The four Select League divisional winners, championship-host Richmond and the Pro League winner will compete for the national championship Aug. 27-Sept. 1.
The Mariners (20-7) are in the toughest of the two brackets in the round-robin tournament. Tuesday they host Central Division winner and 1995-96 Pro League runner-up Minnesota (18-10).
On Wednesday, Minnesota plays the winner of the North Atlantic Division. Long Island (16-7) and Delaware (9-15) are playing for that title Friday night. Thursday, the Mariners play the Long Island-Delaware winner. Long Island won the Pro League title last season. The top Pro League teams formed the higher Select League this season. Games are at 7:30 each night.
Richmond, which had already been awarded the semifinals and the title game, will host the other bracket. Richmond (15-9) hosts Pacific Division winner California (18-8) and the Pro League winner. Charlotte (16-9), Chico (15-10), Charleston (15-7) and Wilmington (11-13) remain in the Sizzlin' Six, the Pro League championship.
In the round-robin format, a win is worth three points, a shootout win is worth two and a shootout loss is one. A bonus point is awarded to a team scoring three or more goals in a game.
The top two teams from each bracket advance to the semifinals in Richmond on Aug. 31.
After the Mariners won the South Atlantic Division Tuesday, owners Page Johnson and Mark Garcea began negotiating with the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues to host three of the six opening-round round-robin games.
The USISL awarded the games to Hampton Roads because of ``the proximity to Richmond and having two home teams as opposed to one,'' according to league director of operations Scott DeBolt.
``It helps share the costs from Richmond to both sides.''
The Mariners will share the ticket revenue with the league, a sacrifice Garcea was willing to make.
``I think it's fantastic,'' Garcea said. ``It shows a lot about who we are, our character and our organization. For the league to pick us to host says a lot about our team and our area. We're elated and excited.''
Tickets are $7 and $5 and available at all First Virginia Banks and the Mariners office. by CNB