THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 9, 1996 TAG: 9608090659
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 73 lines
It's game day in the Select League. In the South Atlantic Division, South Carolina needs a home field, Hampton Roads needs a win and Tampa Bay needs two victories.
In the North Atlantic Division, three teams are vying for two playoff spots in this, the last weekend of regular season league play. Delaware pits its goal against those of the Mariners tonight. It will be a duel of dreams - a loss for either could end the season.
The Mariners (16-6, 12-5) control their own fate at this point. Last season, Hampton Roads dropped four of its final six games, falling from first place to out of the playoffs. This season, the Mariners had to win one of their final four outright. They won a shootout against Richmond, leaving them shy in the points race, then were shut out twice over the weekend.
``I don't think about that,'' coach Shawn McDonald said. ``This is a different team, a different group of people.''
A win tonight secures a playoff slot. A loss means the Mariners have to wait for scores from Tampa Bay's swing through South Carolina and Carolina.
``(Delaware was) struggling and they've picked it back up again,'' McDonald said. ``They're a physical team. They play with high energy. There's a lot at stake for both teams.''
Tampa Bay (14-8, 9-7) flies to South Carolina tonight to face off against the Shamrocks (17-5, 12-5). South Carolina secured second place in the league with a 2-0 victory over the Mariners Sunday.
The Cyclones are the hottest team in the division, carrying a seven-game win streak into tonight's matchup. Goalkeeper Denny McCaughey has climbed to fifth in the Select League with a 0.92 goals against average. Forward Luis Murillo, an 18-year-old standout from Columbia, is fourth in points with 35 and third in goals with 16.
Although they have secured a playoff slot, the Shamrocks are still sweating the final game of the regular season. As of Thursday afternoon, South Carolina was still working out an agreement for a field. After playing the entire season at Furman University, the Shamrocks were forced to relocate to the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg Sunday.
Select League commissioner Francisco Marcos has intervened on the Shamrocks behalf, but as of Thursday only a tentative resolution has been reached.
``South Carolina is having a flap with (Furman) about money,'' United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues Director of Media Relations David Brackman said. ``They played all their games at Eugene E. Stone III Field and were scheduled to play the rest there. The issue came up and now they are at loggerheads over it.''
Thursday, the Shamrocks were talking with Furman about returning to their ``home'' field. However, tonight's game was still slated for USC-Spartanburg with the playoff games the center of the discussion.
While the Mariners are eyeing the South Carolina situation, Delaware is worried about staving off a late-season run by Cape Cod. Delaware (8-13, 6-10) is currently fourth in its division, but second-ranked Richmond is sitting out the playoffs with a bye. The Kickers are hosting the Select Six playoffs and receive an automatic bid.
Delaware handed the Mariners a 1-0 loss earlier this season. ILLUSTRATION: GAMEWATCH
DELAWARE vs. MARINERS
Site: First Colonial High
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $6 for adults, $5 for youth under 12, senior citizens
and active military.
About the Wizards: Delaware (8-13) must win tonight's matchup to
hold off Cape Cod in the North Atlantic Division. Currently, the
Wizards and Crusaders are tied with 16 points.
About the Mariners: Forward Danny Creech remains questionable
with pulled abdominal muscles. Joe Herrmmann may play despite a
slightly bruised back. Defender Steve Provan returns for the
Mariners final game. Hampton Roads must win to be guaranteed a
playoff spot. by CNB