Nomads Lose Lead, Game to Emperors

The San Diego Nomads dropped a 2-1 decision to the California Emperors in Redlands Saturday night despite taking an early 1-0 lead.

The Nomads went up three minutes into the game when Steve Black pounced on a loose ball in front of the net and kicked it in.

But a minute and a half later, the Emperors tied the game when Kurt Allan put one into the upper-left corner from 40 yards out.

Mahntie Reeves closed the scoring with a goal in the game’s 56th minute for California.

The Nomads dropped to 5-8 in the Western Soccer League and are in fourth place in the South division with 45 points. The Emperors improved to 4-10, 43 points.

Nomad goalie Anton Nistl made seven saves and Chris Wilson had six for the Emperors.

OLYMPIC FESTIVAL

Erik Larson of San Diego, who finished fourth in the 1990 national championships, led the men’s competition in figure skating heading into today’s long program.

“I was really excited out there,” Larson said. “You probably saw me smiling out there.”

Larson is a student of Carlo Fassi, who coached Olympic champions Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill and Robin Cousins.

Trailing Larson were Aren Nielsen of Grandview, Mo., and Doug Mattis of Philadelphia.

BASKETBALL

The Phoenix Suns announced that unrestricted free-agent forward Mitch McMullen, who participated in the Suns’ summer camp two years ago after graduating from San Diego State, has been invited to their rookies and free agents camp July 19-21.