Courage Duels Boston To A Stalemate
Published on June 8, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Carolina Courage News Release
Boston, MA (June 8, 2002) The Carolina Courage and the Boston Breakers battled to a 2-2 draw on Saturday night before a raucous crowd of 9,107 at Nickerson Field in Boston. The Courage (4-1-3) maintained its second place position in the WUSA standings, after league-leader Philadelphia also tied at home against Washington.
The Courage jumped out to an early lead in the 6th minute. Staci Burt sent a throw-in deep in the Breakers end of the field to Norwegian midfielder Hege Riise, who directed the ball to teammate Danielle Fotopoulos. Fotopoulos swiftly tucked the ball past Boston goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. It was Fotopoulos' league-leading fifth goal of the season, and her second goal this season against LeBlanc.
The lead was short-lived, however, as Dagny Mellgren put the Breakers even in the 14th minute. Kristine Lilly started the play, sending a pass to Maren Meinert who spotted a streaking Dagny Mellgren. The Breakers' Norwegian striker beat Carolina keeper Kristin Luckenbill to the ball, nodding it into the open goal.
Carolina went ahead again in the 32nd minute. Once again, Staci Burt started the play on the right side. Burt laid off a nice pass to Birgit Prinz, who slotted it to Riise, who hammered it past LeBlanc.
On the strength of Kristin Luckenbill's shot-stopping performance, the Courage took a 2-1 lead into the locker room at half. Luckenbill faced seven shots on goal and made four saves, several of which were spectacular.
After the break, the Breakers came charging back. Dagny Mellgren and Maren Meinert hooked up again to tie the score after only four minutes. On a quick counter attack, Meinert carried the ball down the sideline, turned the corner and served a beautiful cross into the goalmouth. Mellgren made an outstanding run to shed her defender and dove to head the cross into the goal. Mellgren's goal, her fifth of the season, tied Fotopoulos' league lead. Meinert's assist, her fifth, equaled the league high, as well.
"In the first half, we were too tentative," said Courage head coach Marcia McDermott. "We stayed off of them, and gave them too much time and space. Time and space for world class players is very dangerous."
The Courage travels to Herndon Stadium to take on Cindy Parlow and the Atlanta Beat next Saturday, June 15th. The 7:00 pm match will be televised live on Fox Sports Net.
The Courage's next home match will take place on Wednesday, June 19th at 7:00 pm at SAS Stadium in Cary, North Carolina. For ticket information, log onto the Carolina Courage website at www.carolinacourage.com or call the Courage ticket office at (919) 573-7626.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 8, 2002
- Late Goal Salvages Tie for Charge - Philadelphia Charge
- Washington Freedom 1, Philadelphia Charge 1 - WUSA
- Carolina Courage 2, Boston Breakers 2 - WUSA
- Courage Duels Boston To A Stalemate - Carolina Courage
- San Diego Spirit Match Preview v San Jose - San Diego Spirit
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