THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 1, 1996 TAG: 9606010361
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 45 lines
Mark Waite is on a roll.
The midfielder extended his goal-scoring streak to four games Friday night as the Hampton Roads Mariners beat the Charleston Battery 3-1 at First Colonial High School for their fifth victory in a row.
``We're playing really well,'' said Waite, who booted in an airborne pass early in the first half. ``When that's happening, it opens things up for everyone.''
The Mariners (7-2, 4-1 Select League) ended the Battery's domination of the series. Hampton Roads had not defeated Charleston in three years. The Mariners lost their final preseason exhibition this year 4-3 in Charleston.
``We have a good style of play now which all of the team seems to be comfortable with,'' Waite said. ``We're very confident. The only way we're going to lose now is to beat ourselves.''
Playing before a crowd of 1,735, the Mariners were far from self-defeating in the opening minutes. Nate Houser was charging the net when Battery goalkeeper Eddie Pigford rolled under him, knocking him to the ground and giving the Mariners a penalty kick. Scott Lawler duped Pigford on the kick, going high toward the right cornerpost as Pigford dove to his left.
At 14:38 of the half, Waite took Paul Cann's pass and scorched it into the net for a 2-0 margin.
``He struck that ball well,'' Mariners coach Shawn McDonald said. ``It's not often that you strike the ball that cleanly.''
The Battery responded midway through the half. Patrick Olatere sailed a free kick to Brian Blair. Mariners keeper Matt Olson made a grab for the ball, but Blair went over him for the goal.
Scoring slowed late in the half, but physical contact heightened.
Defender Dave Schifrin was assisted off after taking a hit. He was sidelined with a sore back, but McDonald said his condition was not serious.
At 41:40, forward Wayne Pratt was assisted off the field. He suffered a sprained knee and was on crutches after the game.
The Battery (4-6) attacked more strongly in the second half, but Cann slipped in a back-breaking goal with less than 10 minutes remaining.
``Paul Cann made a great effort on his goal,'' McDonald said. ``You need to go up two and give yourself a cushion.''
The Mariners will host the South Carolina Shamrocks at 7:30 p.m. Friday at First Colonial. by CNB