THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 13, 1996 TAG: 9604120721
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
The 1996 Hampton Roads Mariners are a mixed bag of veteran professionals, international players and untested college talent.
Nine returning Mariners join six players with other pro soccer experience and seven who recently completed their college careers.
Tonight, they debut at First Colonial against the East Pro Division Baltimore Bays. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The Mariners lost in an exhibition shootout loss by a score of 4-3 to Charleston of the South Atlantic Pro Division last Saturday.
Off the field, the Mariners are boosted by a working agreement with Washington D.C. United, of Major League Soccer, and the emergence of a higher division in the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues (USISL). The Mariners are one of 22 teams in the inaugural Select League.
``One of our biggest assets is our speed,'' coach Shawn McDonald said. ``Our team speed and individual speed. Certain defenses, even Charleston, really struggled with them. I have a feeling there are certain teams we'll just annihilate from that aspect.''
Another asset is the return of leading scorer Darren Eales. Two talented newcomers are Stilian Shishkov, the leading scorer in NCAA Division II in 1995, and Michael Guerrero.
``Darren has been hampered by a hamstring pull, but we expect him to be back in form soon,'' McDonald said. ``Michael has the ability to score with both feet. Stilian is a goal scorer with international experience.''
Wayne Pratt, the Mariners second-leading goal scorer the past two seasons, returns at forward.
At midfield, McDonald has depth and professional experience in captain Mark Waite, Joe Herrmann, Scott and Lang Wedemeyer. Waite, a graduate student, is currently commuting for games and will not join the team full-time until May.
``Scott has a lot of composure,'' McDonald said of his attacking midfielder. ``Joe Herrmann is very quick and causes problems for opponents. I think we're missing a defensive midfielder. We'd like to have Lang as a utility player and not just sit him in one spot.''
Defensively, Byron Mitchell and Dave Shifrin join sweeper Anton Velkov. Defenders Mitchell and Shifrin are physically strong and solid in the air. Velkov, of Bulgaria, is recovering from a slight hamstring pull but should play tonight.
In goal, former Old Dominion goaltender Nathan Olansen has the nod over Butler University's John Cone.
``They're both untested,'' McDonald said. ``We still have a few question marks in a few positions. We need to bring in two or three more starters to get us where we want to be. I think in goal there is still a question, although that is starting to look better and better.''
McDonald is satisfied with the Mariners depth, and he says unclinched roster spots have increased practice output.
``Players are at their best because we're still bringing in people and they're fighting for positions,'' McDonald said. ``It's a competitive environment, which is good. It can become a negative if it's too unstable but right now it's stable enough that I feel comfortable, but unstable enough that people are working hard.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Photos of the coach and team members]
With biography of each player
Schedule
For complete text, see microfilm
by CNB