Charge Extend Unbeaten String to Eight
Published on July 8, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Philadelphia Charge News Release
For the first time all season, the Charge entered Sunday night's game in a position other than first place. Carolina, which has played in one more game thus far than Philadelphia, moved into sole possession of first place with a 2-1 win over San Jose on Thursday, July 4. The Charge apparently didn't like the taste of second place though. Despite a scoreless first 76 minutes, Philly erupted for three goals in the game's final 14 to ward off a spirited New York Power squad, 3-1.
The game featured two of the league's most dazzling attackers in New York's Tiffeny Milbrett and Philadelphia's Marinette Pichon and the dynamic duo performed as advertised. Despite being held in check for much of the game, the pair thrilled fans at Villanova Stadium in the game's final minutes. It was Pichon who broke through first in the 77th minute, scoring off a long ball from Heather Mitts. Just two minutes later Pichon moved into a tie for the league scoring lead with another goal to make it 2-0. Charge midfielder Zhao Lihong placed a perfect cross to the head of Mandy Clemens whose shot rang off the crossbar. An opportunistic Pichon was there for the rebound, placing a left-footed volley past former Philly 'keeper Saskia Webber. Milbrett, who entered the game with the league lead in scoring, defended her rank, however, by setting up Krista Davey for a goal in the 86th minute to draw the Power to within one. But it was Pichon's night. The French star secured her first-ever hat trick and another Charge victory with a goal in injury time for the win. She now ranks tops in the WUSA in goals (12) and scoring (25 points) and eclipses Liu Ailing as the franchise's all-time leading scorer.
The win was important for Philadelphia (9-1-3), which remained tied for first place in the league standings with Carolina (9-2-3). However, the Charge hold the tiebreaker against the Courage, having beaten Carolina twice this season. Philly also has a game in hand over the Courage.
Melissa Moore turned in another solid performance, holding Milbrett without a goal and making seven saves on the night to run her and the team's unbeaten streak to a WUSA-season-best eight games (5-0-3).
Upcoming Opponent
Philadelphia next takes to the turf when it travels to Washington to face the Freedom on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The teams have already met twice this season and Sunday's matchup marks their final clash of the season. However, it will also mark the first time Mia Hamm suits up for Washington in a game against Philly this season. The Charge downed the Freedom 3-1 on May 11 behind two goals from Erin Martin and one from Kelly Smith. A month later, the teams split their June 8th tilt, 1-1. Washington took a first-half lead and looked primed to pull off an upset until Pichon registered the equalizer in the game's 87th minute to earn her squad a point.
The Freedom has won two in a row and has vaulted up the league standings and into third place with its excellent play of late. Since Hamm's return, she has been a force, registering four goals and an assist for nine points in just five games despite having yet to start a contest.
Liu Ailing, Erin Martin and Mandy Clemens all lead Philadelphia in career scoring against Washington with five points apiece. Jennifer Grubb's two goals for four points leads the Freedom's list against the Charge.
NEWS & NOTES
Unbeaten Streak is WUSA Best This Season
The Charge currently own an eight-game unbeaten streak (5-0-3), which is the best in the WUSA this season and third best in league history. The Charge's last, and only, loss this season came back on May 19 in San Diego. Since then the Charge have outscored their opponents by a total of 12-5 and have posted two shutouts. The longest unbeaten streak in league history is 10 games set last year by the then-Bay Area CyberRays (7-0-3), while the second-longest is held by the Atlanta Beat, who went 5-0-4 over nine games last season as well.
Charge Hold League's Longest Home Unbeaten Streak
This season the Charge are now 5-0-2 at Villanova Stadium, having outscored their opponents 15-6. Dating back to last season, the Charge are 7-0-3 in their last 10 as the host, marking the longest home unbeaten streak in league history. Currently, Boston's seven-game home-unbeaten streak is second in league history. The Charge are also and 9-1-4 in their last 14 at home with the club's lone loss over that span coming to the Breakers on July 19. All-time Philadelphia is 10-3-3 at home.
Pichon Now Leads League and Charge All-Time Scoring Lists
With her first career hat trick in Sunday night's 3-1 win over New York, forward Marinette Pichon surpassed Liu Ailing for the Charge's all-time lead in points. Her 12 goals and one assist for 25 points also places her tops in the WUSA in scoring for the season. Her 25 career points eclipses the franchise mark previously held by Liu Ailing who has 24 (10g, 4a). The Frenchwoman has now tallied 11 of her club's last 14 goals dating back to 5/25 versus the Carolina Courage. Pichon averages one goal every 76.9 minutes, which is more frequent than any other player in league history.
Mitts Ties Consecutive Assists Record
Defender Heather Mitts has now recorded an assist in four straight games, which ties a league record. The former University of Florida All-American played a long ball ahead to Marinette Pichon in the 77th minute of Sunday's 3-1 win over New York that Pichon banged home for the game's first tally. Mitts' streak dates back to 6/15 versus Boston. She did not play in the Charge's 1-1 tie on 6/23 vs. San Diego, allowing the streak to continue. The assists are the only points for Mitts this season. Tiffeny Milbrett's assist on New York's only goal of the game was also her fourth straight contest with a helper. Three other players had four-game streaks, but none extended her streak to a fifth game. They are: Julie Foudy (Aug. 9 2001 to Apr. 20, 2002), Nikki Serlenga (May 11 to June 1, 2002), and Hege Riise (May 25 to June 15, 2002).
Moore Spectacular Goalkeeping
Melissa Moore continues to make a serious bid for WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year honors. Moore bested former teammate Saskia Webber on Sunday, making seven saves en route to the 3-1 win. Her nine wins ties her for the league lead and is a single-season career high as well. Her season goals-against average of 0.85 is tops in the WUSA as is her winning percentage (80.8) and her save percentage of 80.8 is second. In her last six games, she has allowed only four goals and has three shutouts on the season.
Practice Times
The Charge are scheduled to be practicing this week at Villanova Stadium. Any media outlet interested in attending is encouraged to contact the Charge PR office at 215-952-5492 before heading out to confirm practice times.
Monday: 3pm-5pm
Wednesday: 10am-12pm
Friday: 10am-12pm
Sunday: Game 4pm
Tuesday: 10am-12pm
Thursday: OFF
Saturday: 10am-11am
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 8, 2002
- Pichon Earns Player of the Week Honors - Philadelphia Charge
- Charge, Courage Lead Pack - WUSA
- Pichon Named Player of the Week - WUSA
- Founders Cup II Tickets to Go on Sale - WUSA
- Charge Extend Unbeaten String to Eight - Philadelphia Charge
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