THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606230205
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 47 lines
Ryan Leib took full advantage of his new starting role.
The Hampton Roads midfielder, in only his second start, netted a goal and an assist in the opening minutes Saturday night to pace the Mariners to a 2-0 Select League victory over New York.
``I just broke into the starting line up the last couple of weeks,'' Leib said. ``Now's my chance. I just wanted to make the most of it. I thought it went all right. The weather didn't help us any. A lot of guys were lagging out there and I just went out there and kept plugging away.''
Less than 14 minutes into the game, Sterling Wescott chipped a pass to Leib, who put the ball on Paul Cann's foot. Cann drove through two defenders and blasted the scoring shot.
Ten minutes later, New York keeper Jim McCombs saved a Mark Waite shot. Leib harbored the deflection and pumped in the shot.
``Ryan has good ability,'' Hampton Roads head coach Shawn McDonald said. ``He's a very good player and he played solid.''
The Mariners continued to press, outshooting the Stallions 21-9, but failed to tally another goal.
New York's only real scoring opportunity came when Mariners' keeper Matt Olson took a shot to the body, then raced a Stallions' forward for the rebound. He was called for pushing on the play, giving New York a penalty kick. Ed Decker shot low to the right corner as Olson dove his left, but the ball careened off the post.
Olson earned his fifth shutout, rejecting five Stallions' shots. New York (3-12, 1-9) replaced McCombs with keeper Shawn Grual in the second half and he held the margin.
The second half was lackluster. According to McDonald, Hampton Roads players were fatigued by the recent streak of four games in nine days. The Mariners earned their second Select League win of the week, improving to 9-2 overall, 5-1 in the Select League. Wednesday, they played Richmond to a shootout before finally putting the Kickers away.
``We're tired,'' McDonald said. ``I'm glad we scored early. Our legs were heavy and we didn't quite have it in the second half. Ryan hit a great shot and fortunately that was all we needed to put it away.''
The Mariners play Delaware in an exhibition game Wednesday, then return to First Colonial for a rematch with Richmond Saturday. Hampton Roads is now entering the crucial phase of the season.
``We've won 10 of our last 11, we just want to keep the streak going,'' Leib said. by CNB