Vancouver 86Ers Deal Storm Eighth Consecutive Defeat, 5-3

BURNABY, B.C. - The Vancouver 86ers, reeling off five unanswered goals in the first 37 minutes, handed the Seattle Storm their eighth consecutive defeat 5-3 in a nonleague soccer game at Swangard Stadium last night.

Former Tacoma Stars forward Dale Mitchell and midfielder Doug Muirhead each scored twice for the two-time defending Canadian Soccer League champions.

The Storm, who scored the game's final three goals and outshot the 86ers 15-13, broke out of a two-game scoreless stretch on a tally by Jason Russ just before intermission. Scott Benedetti and Steve McCrath got second-half goals for the Storm, now 11-13 overall.

It was a Storm team record for most goals allowed in one half.

Seattle is 1-11 on the road this year.

Seattle played last night without starting defender Wade Webber, who was married over the weekend, and Brent Goulet, who is in West Germany for a tryout with a second-division team.

SCORING SUMMARY

Scoring - 1, VAN, Titotto 14:00; 2, VAN, Muirhead 18:00; 3, VAN, Mitchell 22:00; 4, VAN, Mitchell 26:00; 5, VAN, Muirhead 37:00; 6, SEA, Russ (Smith) 45:00; 7, SEA, Benedetti (Fry) 54:00; 8, SEA, McCrath 70:00. Shots - SEA 15, VAN 13. Saves - SEA (Brazeau 4, Bell 3) 7, VAN (Dolan 4/Merkl 3) 7. Corner kicks - SEA 5, VAN 7. Offsides - SEA 3, VAN 2. Cautions - Forgette, SEA. A - 3,046.