ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, August 2, 1996                 TAG: 9608020026
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER

'DAWGS BEGIN 2ND SEASON FACE NASHVILLE IN SOCCER PLAYOFFS

The Roanoke RiverDawgs and Nashville (Tenn.) Metros combined for one goal in their last meeting, a 1-0 RiverDawgs victory.

When Roanoke and Nashville meet tonight at 8 at Victory Stadium, it is highly unlikely the final score will be the same. The RiverDawgs open the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues Premier League playoffs against one of the most potent offenses in their division.

Nashville forwards Pasi Kinturi and Toni Siikala are the highest scoring duo on a single Premier League team, combining for 77 points in the regular season.

``We'll definitely key on them on defense,'' said RiverDawgs midfielder Grayson Prillaman. ``If we shut them down, we'll be fine.''

Roanoke, champion of the Eastern Conference's Northern Division, is led by forwards Ian Spooner and Patrick McSorley, who have 68 points between them. But the RiverDawgs have another threat up front, forward Waughn Hughes. In Sunday's 5-2 victory over Orlando, he had two goals and an assist and was selected player of the game.

``All three are getting key goals for us,'' Roanoke coach Ed McMichael said.

The RiverDawgs (10-4 Premier League) need a good outing from everyone, because they're looking for their third victory over Nashville (7-7) this season. McMichael said he is emphasizing to his team that tonight's game is the first of a ``sudden-death season.''

``In both cases, the games were close and I know Nashville walked away thinking they should have won,'' McMichael said. ``I'm glad we're playing at home.''

Victory Stadium is a new venue for the RiverDawgs, allowing them greater visibility than Cave Spring Junior High. Team officials hope to play all home games at Victory Stadium next season, and have heard encouraging words from the city of Roanoke.

But that's next season. There's a playoff debut to be made before then.

``If you asked us to predict where we'd be, I don't know if anybody would have said we'd be in the spot we're in,'' McMichael said. ``Out of 30 Premier League teams, we're easily in the top five.

``Of course, I can say that now, but we've got to prove it in the playoffs.''

All seats for tonight's game are $5 and all are general admission.

LENGTH: Medium:   62 lines
ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC:   chart - Scoring stars
             The Roanoke RiverDawgs and Nashville (Tenn.) Metros have four of 
          the top 10 scorers in the U.S.I.S.L. Premier League.
             
             TOP 'DAWGS:
             Ian Spooner 14 goals, 8 assists
             Patrick McSorley 13 goals, 6 assists
             
             MIGHTY METROS:
             Pasi Kinturi 17 goals, 7 assists
             Toni Siikala 13 goals, 10 assists 
          STAFF