THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 5, 1996 TAG: 9608050126
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SPARTANBURG, S.C. LENGTH: 40 lines
One more chance.
The Hampton Roads Mariners (16-5 overall, 11-5 Select League) were defeated 2-0 by the South Carolina Shamrocks Sunday afternoon, failing to clinch a spot in the USISL playoffs.
Carolina (18-5, 14-3) and South Carolina (17-5, 12-5) have clinched postseason spots in the South Atlantic Division. Tampa Bay, which defeated New Orleans 3-0 Sunday, has 25 points to the Mariners' 30. A win is worth three points.
If Tampa Bay beats Carolina and South Carolina this weekend, they would have 31 points. The Mariners host Delaware Friday and could knock out Tampa with a win.
If Hampton Roads makes the playoffs, it will face South Carolina in the first round.
``If we don't win, we may lose a shot at the playoffs,'' Mariners coach Shawn McDonald said. ``We are at home. If we don't get it done, it's our own fault.''
The Mariners rebounded from Saturday night's lackluster performance against Carolina but could not overcome the Shamrocks Sunday.
The game, originally slated to be played at Furman College in Greenville, was switched to USC-Spartanburg late Friday. Furman reportedly refused to allow the Shamrocks to use the stadium until payment issues had been resolved.
South Carolina adapted to the new field with a solid first-half attack, while the Mariners fielded a quick defense.
The Shamrocks took the lead after the break when Pierce Tormay slipped around keeper Matt Olsen and scored. The Mariners assaulted keeper Mike Compisi with a flurry of shots late, but Chad Carithers scored with two minutes left to ice it for South Carolina.
``I take my hat off to these guys,'' Shamrocks coach Pete Persen said. ``With all of the stuff that has been going on, we lost our last two. The heat today, playing in a an unfamiliar space. . . . I'm just happy for the guys. They took the challenge.'' by CNB