Virginia Beach, Virginia -Two thousand and forty-four die-hard fans ignored the threat of severe weather and greeted the new 2006 version of the Virginia Beach Mariners Saturday night at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. They were rewarded for their loyalty with a 2-0 win over the Toronto Lynx.
Both goals were scored by new Mariner forward Greg Simmonds who came to Virginia Beach via the Charleston Battery and the Richmond Kickers. His first came in the 17th minute when Felix Brillant sent in a near-perfect cross to the center of the box. Simmonds volley beat Toronto keeper Theo Zagar to the left. Simmonds followed that goal at the 70 minute mark with another low shot off a cross from Ryan Mack. The Mariners outshot Toronto 13-4.
"It was a nervous opening," said Mariner Managing Director Michael McCann. The idea was to keep a clean sheet at home and that was achieved." The Mariners earned three points for the win.
Mariner head coach Jay Hoffman was pleased. "We did the right things and it was fun to watch. Getting 3 points at home was a good start."
Simmonds, who spent 2004 and 2005 in Charleston, is happy to be in Virginia Beach. "This is a first class organization and Coach Hoffman makes all of us work very hard. But I am very happy to be here."
The Mariners travel to Charleston next Saturday night, April 29, to take on the Battery in their season opener. The team returns to the Sportsplex Friday, May 5 against Atlanta. Kick off on May 5 is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Scoring Summary
1 2 FT
Virginia Beach 1 1 2
Toronto 0 0 0
Virginia Beach: Simmonds 18 (Brillant), 70 (Mack)
Starting Lineups:
Virginia Beach: Nelson, O'Neill, Danbusky, Schwarze, Low, Woods, Shak, Scroggins, Simmond (Micklos 88), Fenger (Cephas 77), Brillant (Mack, 56)
Toronto: Zagar, Arango, Bednikovic, Mattacchione, Baxter, Eja-Tabe (Medwin 61), Dodds, Dekker, Williamss, Deplacido, Palleschi (Sheppard 66)
Statistics:
Shots: VB: 13, TOR 4; Saves: VB 3, TOR 7; Fouls: VB 12, TOR 12; Offsides: VB 2, TOR 8; Corners: VB 5, TOR 1; Cautions: VB: (Schwarze, 68), TOR (Dodds, 30).
Officials: Steve Taylor, Shaun Papperman, Robert Velbis, Hagan Barnett
Carol Senechal
For the Virginia Beach Mariners
