Charge Top Carolina
Published on June 19, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
CARY, NC - Marinette Pichon scored two goals as the Philadelphia Charge defeated the Carolina Courage 3-1 Wednesday evening at SAS Stadium. Sitting atop the WUSA standings, Philadelphia (7-1-2, 23 pts.) extended its unbeaten streak to five games and moved five points clear of second-place Carolina (5-2-3, 18 pts.) in the WUSA. The Courage's only two defeats in 2002 have come at the hands of the Charge.
With the two goals tonight, Pichon has scored five of Philadelphia's last seven goals dating back to the May 25 victory over Carolina. The French national team standout is now tied for first in the WUSA with seven goals.
For the second consecutive match, Pichon scored an early goal, taking a nice chip from Heather Mitts to beat Carolina goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill from 10 yards in the 26th minute.
Carolina answered back just one minute later to even the score at 1-1 when Danielle Fotopoulos scored her team-high seventh goal of the season. The play started when Birgit Prinz dribbled at a Philadelphia defender and the ball deflected off the Charge defense right back to Prinz. The German international promptly slotted the ball over to Fotopoulos, who beat Philadelphia goalkeeper Melissa Moore at the near post from eight yards.
Philadelphia made it 2-1 in the 39th minute when Kerry Connors scored her first goal of the 2002 season. Lorrie Fair's shot rebounded to Pichon, and the French international cracked a shot that deflected off the Carolina defense to Connors. Connors then turned and one-timed a shot past Luckenbill from seven yards.
Pichon scored the final goal of the match in the 67th minute when she one-timed Zhao Lihong's cross to beat Luckenbill from eight yards.
Playing a 4-5-1 with Pichon up top, Philadelphia altered its long-ball strategy that was effective in Saturday's 1-0 win over Boston. Committing just two fouls the entire evening, the Charge played precise one-touch soccer to find seams in the Carolina defense.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 19, 2002
- Courage Can't Solve Philly, Loses 3-1 - Carolina Courage
- Charge Top Carolina - WUSA
- Pichon, Moore Lead Charge to Victory - Philadelphia Charge
- Charge's Smith to Have Surgery Thursday - Philadelphia Charge
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