Courage Best CyberRays, 2-1

Published on July 4, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release

CARY, NC - In an Independence Day matchup, Hege Riise provided the fireworks for Carolina with an 88th-minute goal as the Courage (9-2-3, 30 pts.) defeated the San Jose CyberRays (5-5-3, 18 pts.) 2-1 on Thursday evening at SAS Stadium. The game-winning goal by Riise gave the Courage sole possession of first place in the WUSA. Birgit Prinz continued to produce for Carolina, recording a goal and an assist on the night.

Riise gave the Courage a 2-1 lead in the 88th minute with her fifth goal of the season. Prinz took a shot on net, that San Jose's Beene was able to stop. Unable to be corralled by Beene, the ball deflected to Riise. With Beene out of the position, the Norwegian international found the back of the net. Prinz was credited with her fifth assist of the season on the goal.

Prinz registered her seventh goal of the season to give the Courage a 1-0 lead in the 42nd minute. On a long clearance by San Jose, midfielder Nel Fettig won a 50-50 ball in the air in the middle third of the field. Fettig was able to flick the header to forward Facing Fettig Danielle Fotopoulos trapped the header and turned towards net, chipping the ball over the CyberRays' defense. Collecting the pass from Fotopoulos, Prinz chested the ball down, beating two San Jose defenders. With the defense behind her, Prinz blasted a shot from just inside to penalty area, beating LaKeysia Beene to her left for the score. With the play, both Fotopoulos and Prinz extended their point-scoring streak to a WUSA record eight straight games.

San Jose tied the match in the 48th minute. Tisha Venturini-Hoch scored her third goal of the season to bring the score to 1-1. On a free kick from 35 yards out, midfielder Sissi lofted a ball into the area. Defender/forward Brandi Chastain headed the ball from Sissi, redirecting it to Venturini-Hoch. With Carolina goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill out of position, the San Jose midfielder headed the ball into the back of the net. Both Sissi and Chastain were credited with assists on the play. The free kick was the result of San Jose forward Katia being fouled by Carolina midfielder Venus James.

Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 4, 2002

• Courage Nips WUSA Champion San Jose, 2-1 - Carolina Courage
• Courage Best CyberRays, 2-1 - WUSA

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