Charge Fall to CyberRays, 2-0
Published on July 31, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Philadelphia Charge News Release
SAN JOSE, CA (July 31, 2002) - Tisha Venturini-Hoch and Katia each scored as the defending Founders Cup champion San Jose CyberRays held off the Philadelphia Charge, 2-0, on Wednesday night. Despite falling to 0-2-1 in their last three games, the Charge (10-3-5, 35 pts) remain in first place in the WUSA standings two points ahead of the Carolina Courage, who lost to the Washington Freedom on Wednesday night.
Philadelphia, which is attempting to make the playoffs for a second straight season, had to play without leading scorer Marinette Pichon and defender Heather Mitts. Both players are nursing injuries and were left in Philadelphia with fellow starters defender Erica Iverson and midfielder Zhao Lihong, who were both given the night off.
Charge head coach Mark Krikorian also gave starting goalkeeper Melissa Moore the night off for the first time this season, giving backup Maite Zabala her first career WUSA start. The second-year veteran Zabala finished with three saves, as the CyberRays unloaded 17 shots compared to the Charge's five.
With five regulars not starting, rookies Karyn Hall and Andrea Alfiler were inserted in the starting lineup as defenders, while midfielder Michelle Demko and forward Tara Koleski made their first starts of the season for the Charge.
As a matter a fact, the Charge did not start a foreign player for the first time in franchise history. China's Liu Ailing did come on to start the second half.
After pressuring the Charge for much of the game, the CyberRays (8-6-4, 28 pts), who were playing their home finale, finally got on the board in the 53rd minute. Pretinha started the action with a shot that was deflected to the crossbar by Zabala. However, the rebound went to Katia, who volleyed the ball over her head to the middle of the box where Venturini-Hoch headed the ball just past the outreached arms of Zabala.
Mandy Clemens had a chance to tie the game in the 60th minute, but LaKeysia Beene saved the point-blank shot. Then, 15 minutes later, Beene again came up big, stopping another dangerous shot. This time Philadelphia's Kerry Connors volleyed a shot into the outreached arms of Beene. The ball would bounce dangerously off Beene's leg while she was headed to the ground before she could corral the loose ball.
Beene finished with three saves, earning her fourth shutout of the season.
Katia, the league's leading scorer, later capped off a three-point night with a goal in the 82nd minute.
Philadelphia takes the field again this Saturday, August 3 against the San Diego Spirit. A win would definitely get the Charge into the playoffs. After the contest, the Charge is hosting an on-field concert by TRUEvibe. Call 215-467-GOAL for more information. The Charge and CyberRays will again meet next Wednesday at Villanova Stadium in the Charge's regular-season home finale. Earlier this year, these two clubs played to a scoreless tie in Philadelphia.
The Charge had the first quality scoring chance in the 12th minute. However, Lorrie Fair missed a wide-open net after a miscue by the CyberRays' defense and then her cross was deflected out of bounds by a San Jose defender.
In the 33rd minute, the CyberRays had their first opportunity. Off a short corner kick, Brandi Chastain found the ball at the top of the 18 and firs a shot that Zabala knocked down, through her legs, but found it in time to save the goal. One minute later, San Jose had another chance off a corner, but Zabala again made the save.
The CyberRays controlled the action for most of the first half, with the Charge relying on the counterattack for their offensive opportunities.
Philadelphia fell to 1-2-1 during a seven-game, 22-day stretch to end the season.
NOTES: Tickets for a possible Charge home playoff game will go on sale Thursday morning at 9 am. Call your local Ticketmaster outlet or the Charge ticket office at 215-467-GOAL for more information.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 31, 2002
- Spirit Falls to Beat, 4-1, in Front of Record Crowd at Torero - San Diego Spirit
- Sawa Leads Beat Past Spirit - WUSA
- Charge Fall to CyberRays, 2-0 - Philadelphia Charge
- CyberRays Stop Charge, 2-0 - WUSA
- Hamm, Wambach Lead Freedom Rout - WUSA
- Charge Seek Second Straight Playoff Berth - Philadelphia Charge
- Charge Playoff Tickets to Go on Sale to Public Thursday - Philadelphia Charge
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