Courage Can\'t Solve Philly, Loses 3-1
June 19, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Carolina Courage News Release
Cary, NC. (June 19, 2002) The Carolina Courage failed to take advantage of its opportunity to claim first place, losing 3-1 to WUSA leader Philadelphia Wednesday night at SAS Stadium.
The Courage seemed to stumble out of the blocks rather than explode, and Philadelphia had fired five shots at the Courage goal before Carolina managed its first shot.
The Charge eventually went ahead in the 26th minute, when Marinette Pichon received a Heather Mitts cross in the penalty box, settled the ball, and poked it past Kristin Luckenbill.
The Courage stormed back down the field to even the match. Birgit Prinz battled for a loose ball in the Philadelphia penalty and directed it to Danielle Fotopoulos. The Courage's leading goal scorer jumped on the ball and tucked into the left corner of the goal, for her WUSA-leading seventh goal of the year.
The Charge continued its possession-driven domination of the first half, however, and took another lead in the 39th minute. Following a Philadelphia corner kick, the Courage failed to clear the ball, which bounced out to Lorrie Fair. The Charge midfielder rifled a shot back on goal, which ping-ponged around the box before falling to teammate Kerry Connors. Connors turned with the ball and half-volleyed it into the Courage goal.
After the break, Carolina stepped up its game, and took the play to Philadelphia. Despite out-shooting the Charge 13-5 in the second half, the Courage failed to capitalize on its chances.
Finally, in the 67th minute Philadelphia dealt the coup de grace, punishing the Courage on a counter attack.
Stacey Tullock started the play, pushing a ball forward to Kerry Connors, who sprayed the ball wide to a streaking Zhao Lihong. The Chinese midfield shot down the sideline before serving a deadly pass across the goalmouth. French striker Marinette Pichon found the seam between two Courage defenders and lunged onto the cross, slicing it past Luckenbill. It was Pichon's seventh goal of the year and fourth this season against Carolina. Pichon and Fotopoulos are tied with Katia and Milbrett for the WUSA lead in goals scored.
Following the game, Philadelphia head coach Mark Krikorian reflected on his team's performance.
"We've felt for a long time that if we could keep Pichon in the country â because of all her World Cup qualifiers â and get Lihong healthy, that they could become a pretty dynamic combination. Pichon's a finisher. She can whack a ball."
Despite the loss, the Courage maintains its second place position in the WUSA standings, while Philadelphia extends its lead to 5 points.
"Obviously it's always hard to lose", said Courage co-captain Tiffany Roberts. "We could have gone into first place today, but that's part of professional sports. You move on and keep playing your best and we look forward to our next game coming up against DC."
The Courage plays its second game this week on Saturday at RFK Stadium against Mia Hamm and the Washington Freedom. The game will be nationally televised on PAX TV at 4:00 pm.
For ticket information, call the Carolina Courage ticket office at (919) 573-7626 or visit online at www.carolinacourage.com. Individual game tickets may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Kroger's, Hecht's and Schoolkids Records. You can also dial (919) 834-4000 or log on to www.ticketmaster.com.
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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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