THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 28, 1996 TAG: 9608280623
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 62 lines
The Hampton Roads Mariners struggled early and fell to a 3-0 deficit against the Minnesota Thunder in the Select 6 national soccer championships Tuesday night before 1,287 fans at Old Dominion University. Late goals closed the gap, but the Thunder stormed to a 3-2 victory.
The win garnered the Thunder four points in the Group B round-robin format, three for the win and a bonus point for scoring three or more goals. Minnesota (19-10) faces Long Island tonight at 7:30 and the Mariners (20-8) host Long Island Thursday night.
The most exciting thing for Mariners' fans in the first half was the announcement that the team would get a new stadium in Virginia Beach next season. However, the Mariners provided the excitement in the final 15 minutes, scoring two goals and threatening to tie.
``We didn't play well,'' Mariners coach Shawn McDonald said. ``We did come on at the end. Our defense wasn't sharp and, until the last 15 minutes, our offense wasn't either. I'm glad they came back, but it was one of our worst games.''
McDonald made massive substitutions late, loading the field with forwards and pushing a two-striker attack. Dustin Swinehart came in and immediately sparked the offense. The Mariners began to control the ball. Finally, Sterling Wescott crossed to Steve Provan, who chipped in Hampton Roads' first goal at 29:04.
Five minutes later, Stilian Shishkov blasted a shot past John Swallen to cut the gap to one.
The Mariners punched a flurry of shots at Swallen with less than 10 minutes remaining, but could not score.
The Thunder, however, had no trouble scoring. The Minnesota offense dominated the majority of the game, pressing Mariners keeper Matt Olson. At 21:38 of the first half, Amos Magee was driving in the box when he was pulled down by sweeper Chris Penny. Don Gramenz went low and left to score on the ensuing penalty kick.
At 15:04, Gerard Lagos caught Olson out of position and smoked a shot past him for a 2-0 margin.
Lagos' sailing, 37-yard shot gave the Thunder a 3-0 lead.
``I thought it was a solid performance for our team,'' coach Buzz Lagos said. ``I thought we were sluggish in the first half, especially in the last 20 minutes of the half. In the second we came out and made up for it.''
The Mariners late-game surge deprived the Thunder of a chance to coast through the final minutes.
``We would have been able to relax in the final 15 minutes,'' Lagos said. ``I'm hoping the four points puts us through. We have to play (today) and keep the game close. We'd love to get at least a shootout.''
A shootout victory is worth two points and a shootout loss is worth one. ILLUSTRATION: SELECT 6 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
[Color Photo]
L.TODD SPENCER
Hampton Roads defender Chris Penny hits the turf to intercept the
ball from Minnesota at Old Dominion Tuesday night.
L. TODD SPENCER
THE VIRGINIAN PILOT
Sterling Wescott of the Hampton Roads Mariners has the ball knocked
off his foot by Minnesota's Don Gramenz Tuesday at ODU. by CNB