THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 14, 1996 TAG: 9608140512
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 34 lines
It's finally playoff time for the Hampton Roads Mariners.
After weeks of trying to discern how many games each team had to win to make the Select League playoffs, the Mariners earned a slot in the playoffs with a 2-1 shootout victory over Delaware last Friday.
The Mariners lagged in the closing games of the season, winning two shootouts and dropping two road games with the postseason on the line. However, they edged Tampa Bay in the points standings to grab the third spot in the South Atlantic Division.
Carolina (19-5, 15-3) snagged the top spot and South Carolina (17-6, 12-6) finished second.
In the United Systems of Independent Soccer League playoffs, the No. 1 team receives a bye and the second- and third-ranked teams play a one-game playoff at the No. 2 site. The Mariners play South Carolina at 7:30 tonight at Furman University.
The Mariners have split with the Shamrocks this season, posting a 4-1 home exhibition victory in May, then falling 2-0 last Sunday on the Shamrocks' turf.
``This is a single game, so it'll be a lot easier,'' Mariners coach Shawn McDonald said. ``We've had time to rest, had the weekend off. I think we have a great chance of beating them.
``We just have to play a good game. We've got to put our chances away and play good defense. That's what it takes.''
Forwards Darren Eales and Danny Creech will be sidelined with injuries.
The winner advances and will play a home-and-away series with Carolina. That series must be completed by Aug. 23. The winner advances to the Select Six Finals in Richmond Aug. 27-Sept. 1. by CNB