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Beat Falls 3-1 to CyberRays, Drops to 5th in Standings

July 11, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


San Jose, Calif. (July 10, 2002) - The Atlanta Beat dropped its third straight game Wednesday night in a 3-1 loss to the defending WUSA Champion San Jose CyberRays. Homare Sawa notched the game's first goal in the 3rd minute, but the Beat could not hold on as the CyberRays scored three second-half goals. The Beat dropped one place in the WUSA standings to 5th and now has a record of 6-7-1 and 19 points.

The beat started its crucial match versus the CyberRays with an unfamiliar face in goal, as backup keeper Melanie Wilson got her first start of the 2002 season and only her second career start. Wilson started in goal in place of Briana Scurry, who was suffering from flu like symptoms prior to the match. The Atlanta Beat jumped out to an early lead, when Sawa headed a cross past CyberRays keeper LaKeysia Beene in the 3rd minute of the match. The play began when forward Emily Burt, attacking down the right wing, dribbled by CyberRays defender Michelle French and then passed the ball back out to the wing for Nancy Augusytniak. The Beat defender crossed the ball to the back post and Sawa struck a strong header from 9 yards out that flew by a diving Beene. The goal was Sawa's third of the season and was also the first goal scored by a Beat player in 100 minutes. In the Beat's last match, a 2-1 loss to the Freedom, the only tally on the Beat's board was courtesy of a Freedom own goal.

The Beat continued to pressure the CyberRays defense throughout the first 20 minutes of the match, creating numerous chances in front of the CyberRays goal.

The CyberRays mounted some offense in the 23rd minute, as the Brazilian trio began to work. Katia was open for a shot from 10 yards out, but Wilson was there to make the save. In the 25th minute Brandi Chastain, playing at forward, struck a header that sailed wide right, but dangerously close to the Beat goal.

The Beat had a clear chance to extend the lead to 2-0 in the 33rd minute when Burt stole a Beene clearing pass and had only the goalkeeper to beat. Burt took a hurried shot that sailed just left of the open goal.

The Beat had the better of the scoring opportunities in the first half recording six shots, four on goal, to the CyberRays 3 shots, one on goal. Wilson played solidly in goal in the first half, recording a save on the CyberRays only shot on goal. Wilson also came out strong off her goal line and grabbed a number of CyberRays crosses.

The Beat had the first second half chance, when Sawa was sent through on a breakaway in the 48th minute. Sawa had only Beene to get by, but her quick shot sailed high.

Beat forward Katia took advantage of the CyberRays first second half chance, notching her 8th goal of the season in the 51st minute. She gathered a long ball at the top of the Beat penalty area, took a touch to her right and hit a shot back across to the left corner of the goal.

The Beat would have another chance only four minutes later when Cindy Parlow received a pass over the CyberRays defense for a breakaway. Beene rushed off the goal line and forced Parlow to shoot over her. Parlow's shot missed the goal wide to the left.

The CyberRays extended the lead to 2-1 in the 61st minute when the CyberRays drew a free kick on the left wing outside of the penalty area. Sissi drove a low cross into the box and Tisha Venturini-Hoch dove and headed the ball past Wilson for her 4th goal of the season.

The CyberRays put the game away in the 69th minute when Katia notched her second goal of the game. Forward Kim Clark sent a deft chip over the Beat defense for Katia to run on to. Katia received the ball and shot it past Wilson into the left corner of the goal.

The Beat sent players forward in the final minutes, looking to come back. Sawa had a chance to bring the Beat within one goal in the 77th minute when she was sent through on a similar breakaway, but her first time shot hit the outside left netting.

Beat defender Lisa Kryzkowski, who entered the match in the 76th minute, almost had her first goal of the season in the 88th minute. Kryzkowski took a pass in the CyberRays defensive end and unleashed a 24-yard shot that went over Beene's head and hit the crossbar. Kryzkowski, who hadn't played since the May 18 match versus the CyberRays, in which she broke her left ulna, entered the match at forward and looked very comfortable in the attack.

The Beat's record moves to 6-7-1 with 19 points and drops the Beat to 5th place in the WUSA standings. The CyberRays move one spot ahead of the Beat with a 6-5-3 record and 21 points. The Beat's all-time record versus the CyberRays now stands at 4-1-1. The Beat remains on the road and will travel to New York for a nationally televised meeting versus the Power. The Beat and Power face off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, with the match being broadcast live nationally on PAX-TV. The Beat returns home on Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m. versus the Boston Breakers.

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.

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