THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 28, 1996 TAG: 9604280261
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
Friday afternoon, U.S. U-23 National Team assistant Glenn Myernick talked of avenging last season's loss to the Hampton Roads Mariners.
Saturday night, his team did just that, posting a 2-0 victory at First Colonial High School.
``I'm certainly happy with the result,'' Myernick said. ``I thought overall it was a good game. I think there were enough guys here who played in the game last year who came to even the score.''
Myernick replaced head coach Bruce Arena, who was coaching a Major League Soccer game.
The team is playing a series of MLS and United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues (USISL) opponents as it tunes up for the Olympic Games. Against the Mariners, the National Team exhibited a fast-paced offense and a tenacious defensive attack before a record Mariners crowd of 4,010.
Mariners goaltender Mike Oehlmann was stellar in the early going. Less than 13 minutes into the game, Penmoc Suarez powered a shot, but Oehlmann leaped into the air to deny a dead-on blast.
Less than 10 minutes later, Nelson Vargas was tripped in the box, earning a National Team penalty kick. He cracked a shot just inside the left corner post, but Oehlmann made a diving save.
At 17:22, former Mariner Nate Friends took a pass from Billy Walsh and headed a shot past Oehlmann for a 1-0 lead.
With 8:32 remaining in the game, Pete Marino cracked a low shot past Oehlman to make it 2-0.
Oehlmann closed the game with nine saves and National Team keeper Chris Snitko had six. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
The Mariners' Steve Provan, left, and the national team's Billy
Walsh fight for a header.
by CNB