Beat Defeats CyberRays 2-1

Published on June 22, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


ATLANTA (June 22, 2002) - The Atlanta Beat came back from last week's loss by defeating the defending WUSA champion San Jose CyberRays 2-1 at home Saturday night. Charmaine Hooper and Cindy Parlow each scored a first half goal to help the Beat to victory. The Beat's record improves to 6-4-1 with 17 points, moving the Beat ahead of San Jose into third place in the WUSA standings.

"We get up for the games versus the CyberRays," said Beat Head Coach Tom Stone. "They bring out the best in us and it was no secret we needed three points. We wanted three so we got it."

The Beat applied early pressure to the CyberRays, creating numerous chances in the first ten minutes. Beat midfielder Nikki Serlenga nearly put Atlanta ahead in the 9th minute when she hit a curling free kick off the crossbar.

The Beat took the lead in the 19th minute on a brilliantly executed play that lead to Charmaine Hooper's sixth goal of the season. Defender Sharolta Nonen sent a high pass to the back post. Forward Kelly Cagle flicked the ball over the defense to Hooper, who had cut by a defender. Hooper touched the ball down with her left foot then took one touch to the right and slotted the ball under San Jose goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene. The goal was Hooper's seventh all time versus San Jose.

Parlow helped Atlanta extend the lead in the 36th minute as she notched her fourth goal of the season. Parlow collected a Nancy Augustyniak pass and fired a shot from 20 yards out. The shot hit the post and deflected off Beene into the goal.

Seven minutes later the CyberRays narrowed the margin on a Tisha Venturini-Hoch goal. Sissi sent a corner kick from the right side of the field to the back post. Brandi Chastain headed the ball towards the penalty spot and Venturini-Hoch blasted the ball into the net for her second goal of the season.

The Beat narrowly out shot the CyberRays in the first half, totaling six shots to San Jose's five.

The CyberRays had one change at halftime bringing in Maren Hendershot-Brown for Danielle Borgman. The Beat kept its starting 11 intact throughout the entire game.

The play in the beginning of the second half was largely in the midfield as both teams looked to create scoring chances. Nikki Serlenga had the Beat's first second half scoring opportunity in the 73rd minute as she took a free kick that was headed for the upper right corner that Beene was able to push away for a corner kick.

The CyberRays had only three shots in the second half, the most dangerous coming in the 89th minute when substitute Christina Bell's header glanced off the crossbar. That was the final chance for San Jose as the Beat's defense held on for the victory.

The Beat has dominated the series versus the CyberRays holding a 4-0-1 all time record and out scoring San Jose 10-3 in the regular season. San Jose's record moves to 5-4-2 with 17 points dropping them one spot into fourth place.

The Beat heads to Philadelphia for its next match versus the league leading Philadelphia Charge. The Charge stands alone in first place with a record of 7-1-2 with 23 points. The Charge defeated the Beat in the opening game of the season 2-0.

Tickets for Atlanta Beat home games range in price from $8-$20 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling the TicketMaster number in your area. In Atlanta, call (404) 249-6400 and from outside Atlanta call 1-800-326-4000. Fans can also find a link to TicketMaster on the Beat's web site at www.theatlantabeat.com.

The Atlanta Beat is one of eight professional women's soccer teams that make up the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the world's premier women's soccer league. In the inaugural 2001 WUSA season, the Beat finished as champions of the regular season and runner-up in the league's championship game, Founders Cup. For more information about the Atlanta Beat visit www.theatlantabeat.com.

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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 22, 2002


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