South Jersey Soccer:
Barons Back on Winning Track, Face Stallions in Shore Showdown Sunday

Tuesday, July 11, 2000

PRESS RELEASE

The South Jersey Barons, fresh off a critical 2-0 win in New Hampshire last week-end, begin a five game homestand this Sunday when they face their Northern Conference rivals, the New Jersey Stallions. Kick-off for the D3 Pro League game is set for 6:00 PM at Carey Stadium, located at 6th and Boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ.

South Jersey bounced back from a two game losing streak in beating the New Hampshire Phantoms at Singer Park in Manchester Saturday night. Forward Joe Nick tallied both times for the Barons, striking in the 15th minute with a blast from just outside the 18, and again in the 20th minute on a penalty kick. Goal number one was a finish of a rebound of a shot by Matt Brooks. The penalty kick came after Michael Payne was hauled down inside the box on a break-away.

Nick and defender Dan Christian were both named to the D3 Pro League Team of the Week this week. Nick received the recognition for his two scores, while Christian was a defensive mainstay in shutting down the Phantoms.

The Barons and Stallions have met three times already this season, New Jersey taking the first two contests (3-0 on May 6th and 3-2 on May 21st), while South Jersey won game three 2-1 in overtime on June 18. The Barons currently lead the Northern Conference with 41 points. New Jersey has 31 points, but has two games in hand over the Barons.

Current standings in the D3 Pro League Northern Conference are: South Jersey Barons 9-4, 41 points; New Jersey Stallions 7-3-1, 31 points; New Hampshire Phantoms 6-4-1, 28 points; Reading Rage 6-5, 26 points; Rhode Island Stingrays 5-6, 22 points; Delaware Wizards 4-7, 20 points; Cape Cod Crusaders 4-4-2, 20 points and Western Mass. Pioneers 4-6-1, 18 points. The scoring system is 4 points for a win in regulation or overtime, 2 points for a tie, and 1 point for any team scoring three or more goals in a regulation or overtime game.

South Jersey's 41 points are third best in the D3 Pro League behind only Charlotte's 46 and Tucson's 42. Both South Jersey and Charlotte have played 13 games, while Tucson has two games in hand over both clubs. It should be an exciting race to the finish, with both Charlotte and Tucson still to play the bulk of their road schedules. South Jersey completes the season with five consecutive home games. The team finishing the regular season with the most points in the standings will earn an automatic bye to the play-off's semi-final round. Last year South Jersey did just that - winning the regular season point race en route to an appearance in the D3 Pro League national finals against Western Mass.

Tickets for Sunday's game are available at the gate and cost $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for youths ages 12 and under. Fans can also purchase their tickets in advance at any of four advance ticket locations and save $1.50 per ticket. In Ocean City, the advance locations are: The Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, located at Moorlyn Terrace on the Boardwalk; Sports Source, 825 Asbury Avenue; and Gillian's Wonderland Pier Guest Services Office, located at 6th and Boardwalk. In Marmora, the advance location is Yesterday's Restaurant Liquor Store, at 316 Roosevelt Boulevard.

Free Morey's Pier 3-Pier Passes will be distributed at the gate to the first 250 ticket holders age 16 and under, whether the tickets were purchased in advance or at the gate. The passes are worth $31.95 and are good for all day admission to all rides on all three piers at Morey's Piers in Wildwood.

Prior to Sunday's game, Philadelphia rock band "Jack Light Move" will perform their original sounds of rock, reggae and funk, starting at 5:00. It's all part of an effort by the Barons to extend "Night-in-Venice" week-end's festivities here in Ocean City.

For more information on the game, fans can call (856) 753-7608, or check the web at www.sjbarons.com.

The special "Night-in-Venice" Week-end offer is being co-sponsored by Morey's Piers, The Press of Atlantic City and NetCarrier, in conjunction with The South Jersey Barons.