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Barnes arrives just in time to give CyberRays opening night win

April 6, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release


SAN JOSE (April 5, 2003) – Katie Barnes hasn't been in San Jose long enough to learn her way from home to the CyberRays' practice field. But she's been on the team long enough to win a game.

Barnes received a pass inside the penalty box from Katia in the 32nd minute of the CyberRays' season opener tonight at Spartan Stadium and lofted it from the right side over Philadelphia Charge goalkeeper Melissa Moore for the only score in a 1-0 victory.

It was the first WUSA goal for Barnes, who was a rookie last season for the Carolina Courage, appearing in 15 games, and was claimed by the CyberRays on March 26 after Carolina waived her.

``I didn't know how to celebrate,'' she said. ``I just grabbed Brandi and lifted her up in the air, and then it occurred to me: `I just picked up Brandi Chastain!' ‘'

Barnes' first practice with the CyberRays was Monday, and she was a surprise starter up front for the CyberRays.

``I'm glad she was willing to take the chance and come all the way across the country to join us,'' CyberRays coach Ian Sawyers said. Sawyers had had his eye on Barnes since her senior season at West Virginia University in the fall of 2001, and on one scouting trip had driven from a game in North Carolina to see her play the next day in Morgantown, W.Va. In the 2002 WUSA draft, however, Sawyers went for defensive help on the CyberRays' first-round pick, eighth overall, and Carolina drafted Barnes immediately afterward at the start of the second round.

``I was relieved when Ian and the coaching staff had enough confidence to put me on their roster so late,'' Barnes said.

Pretinha brought the ball down the left flank on the scoring play and crossed to Katia, who was standing on the penalty spot with her back to the goal. Katia feinted to her right, then laid the ball to her left for Barnes, whose chip shot went to the far post.

``I was really happy with the way we played,'' Sawyers said. ``It would have been a crime if we didn't get the result. It was a great first game of the year for us to come out and play that kind of quality.''

Philadelphia, along with the Atlanta Beat the only WUSA teams to have made the playoffs both seasons, has not had good luck against the CyberRays. Last season when Philadelphia went 11-4-6 to finish second in the regular season, the CyberRays were the only team they failed to beat, tying twice in Philly and dropped the San Jose game 2-0 July 31. The CyberRays now lead the overall series 4-1-2 and have won all four games played in Spartan Stadium.

Philadelphia coach Mark Krikorian has two of the WUSA's most prolific scorers, Marinette Pichon of France and England's Kelly Smith, but Smith didn't enter the game until the 62nd minute. In last season's June 1 match against the CyberRays in Philadelphia, Smith went down with a torn ACL and missed the remainder of the season. This was her first game back.

``Kelly Smith is still not 100 percent,'' Krikorian said. ``I think she's fully healthy, but she's not yet match fit. We need to ease her back into the play.''

Moore had a great game for Philadelphia outside of the lone goal with six saves, two on breakaway opportunities by Pretinha.

CyberRays goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene had her 13th WUSA shutout and recorded five saves. Her most spectacular came in the 74th minute on a long shot by Melanie Hoffman that she just managed to tip over the crossbar while backpedaling.

``It's great to win at home in front of all our fans,'' Beene said.

The CyberRays get next weekend off, then return to action at 4:30 p.m. April 19 against the Washington Freedom in the first game of a WUSA / MLS doubleheader. The San Jose Earthquakes meet the Kansas City Wizards in the second game.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from April 6, 2003


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