Opportunities

The dominance was everywhere but on the scoreboard for Delran's girls' soccer team yesterday. For the second year in a row, Delran's season ended with a one-goal loss in the state championship game. Despite controlling play throughout, Delran suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ramsey in the state Group 2 championship game at the College of New Jersey. Unlike last year, when Delran was outplayed for long stretches in a 2-1 overtime loss to favored Mendham, the Bears took control yesterday for virtually the entire contest.

The Center for Youth Development is very encouraged by Mayor Street's proposal to triple funds from $1.4 million to $4.5 million for programs for youth during non-school hours. Combined with efforts by CYD and its extensive network of partners to enhance non-school-hour opportunities, city funding in the amount proposed should greatly improve prospects for our youth. The impact would be particularly powerful if a significant portion of the funds were dedicated to programs specially designed for middle-school- age youth, in addition to programs serving younger children.

In the movie "The Shawshank Redemption," actor Tim Robbins, wrongly sentenced to life in prison, finds a way to cope with the hand he's been dealt. "I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really, get busy living or get busy dying," he says to actor Morgan Freeman before escaping. Mark Reiman equates his life story to that very line. His daily quest, like Robbins's in the movie, is to live life to the fullest. To have hope, despite all the pending obstacles and adversity he faces along the way. Nearly seven years ago, Reiman, 44, was diagnosed with ALS - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a debilitating neurological disorder commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

IHAVE RECENTLY come to discover that my academic advancements are being limited as a result of our worsening economy. I am currently a student at one of the most populated and diverse universities in the country and I am becoming increasingly displeased with the amount of privileges being revoked due to the limits on our economy. I more than understand that our country is in a time of economic crisis, and with that said, my problem lies in the severe prioritizing issues of Americans.

For four straight years, Frankford and Washington have met in an effort to determine supremacy in Philadelphia Public League field hockey. The two teams are still trying after a fourth consecutive 0-0 tie in the championship game at La Salle University yesterday. That's four years, 16 halves and eight 10-minute overtimes without a single goal. Frankford (10-0-5) left with the league championship trophy, but only temporarily. The Pioneers will return that trophy to Washington (9-3-4)

Salomon Torres is naturally sensitive when a subject he has heard too much this year is discussed - the patchwork Brewers bullpen. Torres, Milwaukee's closer, understands the success that the Phillies have enjoyed in the pen, but he insists that this is a new season. Torres understands that as the National League Division Series with the Phillies begins today, his team's bullpen is clearly in the background. The Phillies had the fewest blown saves in the National League, 15. In fact, the Phillies' 76 percent save percentage (15 blown saves in 62 opportunities)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A.J. Ellis hit a two-run double to cap a ninth-inning rally by the Pacific Coast League in a 6-5 win over the International League in the triple-A All-Star Game last night. The rally came against Toledo's Blaine Neal, a graduate of Bishop Eustace in Camden County. Neal has converted 23 of 25 save opportunities. Eastern League MANCHESTER, N.H. - Reading's Greg Golson homered and drove in two runs, but the South fell to the North, 5-3, in the Eastern League All-Star Game.

With yesterday's loss, Andy Reid is now 14-9 against the Redskins and 42-31 against NFC East opponents. For the fourth time in the last 9 years, the Eagles have started 2-2 or worse. The Redskins converted five of 11 third-down opportunities against the Eagles (45.4 percent). In their first three games, they were 6-for-33 on third down (18.2). The Eagles have failed to score on their first possession in all four of their games. They've recorded just one first down on their first possession so far this season.

Like any great fairy tale or Disney movie, the heart-warming story about the North Philadelphia Aztecs has an enduring moral: All you need is an opportunity, and your greatness can surface. The Aztecs had the talent. Their adult leaders had the faith and spirit. But the lacked the money, which often is a cultural synonym for opportunity, and couldn't afford to travel to Orlando -- until Southwest Airlines donated round-trips. You know the story. The Aztecs flew to Disney World, beat the Huntington Beach (Calif.

Yo, Ron Baron. Has Philadelphia got a deal for you. People are wondering why you don't drop your takeover bid for Strawbridge & Clothier and stroll down Market Street to Wanamaker's. Figured we'd answer them. First, of course, you've already got a head start on Strawbridge's, with you and your family owning about 120,000 shares of S&C stock. Then there's the point about growth and profits. Strawbridge & Clothier has been consistently profitable and is growing nicely, with sales projected to hit $1 billion by 1990.