THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 25, 1996 TAG: 9605250732
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 49 lines
Fate has not been kind to the Hampton Roads Mariners this season, in which coach Shawn McDonald has battled international contract disputes and injuries throughout.
Now, the team has lost former starting goalkeeper Mike Oehlmann for the remainder of the season with a broken knuckle on his right hand.
Oehlmann, who displayed a stellar style in net, led the Mariners' early season charge. He leads the Select League with a .57 goals against average in 315 minutes of play. Two weeks ago, the Mariners received keeper Matt Olson from their Major League Soccer affiliate D.C. United. Olson took over the starting slot, but McDonald stressed that Oehlmann was still a crucial element in the Mariners' attempt to reach the Select League playoffs.
The loss creates a dilemma for McDonald.
``It was obviously a blow,'' he said.
So was going from four keepers to essentially one at full strength. Oehlmann's backup, John Cone, underwent surgery to tighten the ligaments in his shoulder. He still isn't playing at 100 percent. Former Old Dominion goalie Nathan Olanssen started in the Mariners' first two games, but has not played recently.
The problem could be further compounded if D.C. United chooses to call up Olson.
``We have to do with what we have,'' McDonald said. ``We still have John and Nathan, but even John has been kept out because of his shoulder. He can go Saturday if we need him, though.''
PLEASE RELEASE ME: Forward Darren Eales remains on the Hampton Roads sidelines, fighting both an injured hamstring and his former Amercan Professional Soccer League team. Eales traveled to New York this week in an attempt to work out the details of his release. McDonald remained optimistic that Eales would be in form to join the Mariners in two weeks.
Meanwhile, former starting forward Mike Guerrero should be able to return to play on June 14. Guerrero had paperwork releasing him from his German professional team and was able to play in the Mariners' home opener. However, the U.S. Soccer Federation asked that he not play again until it received his official clearance from the German team. The paperwork never came. Guerrero's contract expires June 1 and he can then sign with Hampton Roads.
INTERNATIONAL CLASH: The Tampa Bay Cyclones sport an entirely international look. Ten players hail from soccer hotspots like Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil.
``They are a very, very talented team,'' McDonald said. ``They are probably the most skillful team we've played. They are very technical and skillful by nature. Because of that, they are a very different team than what we've been facing.'' by CNB