CyberRays get Sanchez from Boston, draft M Barr and GK Peters

Published on February 2, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release


SAN JOSE (Feb. 2, 2003) – The San Jose CyberRays went into Sunday's WUSA draft with only two picks but came out of it with three players.

Having traded away his first-round pick for Philadelphia Charge forward Mandy Clemens last fall, CyberRays coach Ian Sawyers worked a trade with the Boston Breakers for veteran defender / midfielder Keri Sanchez and turned to the draft to pick up midfielder Betsy Barr from the NCAA champion Portland Pilots and goalkeeper Sarah Peters from the University of Oregon. In all, the pre-draft and draft day maneuvering produced two players who can play immediately for the CyberRays and two more who could see significant playing time.

``When you put Clemens in there, we got a lot of international experience and some championship-level players,'' Sawyers said.

Sanchez and Clemens have played for the U.S. Women's National Team, and Barr has playing time with the U.S. under-21 team. Peters is a technically accomplished keeper with great distribution – she had an assist in 2001 against Gonzaga with an 80-yard kick in a 1-0 victory.

Sunday's draft, the first event of the WUSA's third season, had a strong Bay Area flavor. Two of the first three picks, Aly Wagner by the San Diego Spirit and Devvyn Hawkins by Boston, played at Santa Clara and No.5 pick Callie Withers of the Atlanta Beat played at Stanford. In the second round, 11th overall, Boston went for Marcia Wallis of Stanford.

The CyberRays traded defender Danielle Borgman, the team's No.1 choice in 2001, for Sanchez. Borgman started nine games last season.

Sanchez, 30, is a San Jose native and a former University of North Carolina teammate of CyberRays midfielder Tisha Venturini-Hoch. She was the 12th overall pick in the inaugural WUSA Draft in 2000 and she becomes the CyberRays' first soccer mom with 3 ½-year-old son Bryce. For the past seven seasons she also has been assistant women's soccer coach at Oregon.

``I'm excited to be back in my home town,'' said Sanchez, who played at Santa Teresa High School. ``It will be sad leaving my Boston teammates, but I'll be back with my family. The CyberRays have always been a hard-working team that never gives up. They're aggressive, and with Sissi and Tish in the midfield, they have some very creative players.''

She is a very versatile player who can go anywhere on the back line, at defensive midfield or flank midfield. ``We can really put the work load on her up and down the field,'' Sawyers said.

Barr, 21, from Sacramento is the sister of Washington Freedom defender Emmy Barr, who played at Santa Clara. Her father Jim pitched for the San Francisco Giants from 1972-84.

``I'm excited to be going to San Jose, and I talked to my parents, and they're excited, too,'' she said. ``My sister has made it clear to me there's a lot of competition in the WUSA and that it will take a lot of work. My father told me to keep the mental side tough, and to always go out and give 100%.''

``We were pretty surprised she was available at that number (12th overall),'' Sawyers said. ``She's a defensive midfielder who will complement Sissi and Tish.''

Peters, 22, from Woodinville, Wash., joins a goalkeeping corps that already includes LaKeysia Beene, 2001 WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year and U.S. national team keeper, two-year league veteran Dawn Greathouse and reserve team keeper Linnea Quiñones of the Mexican national team.

``Being drafted has been a dream,'' Peters said. ``I'm really excited get to train with somebody with as much experience and as great a player as LaKeysia and I look forward to that challenge.''

CyberRays goalkeeping coach Jay Cooney said the team's plan ``is to ensure there is always competition at the goalkeeper position. It's a service to Keysia and all the keepers.''

The CyberRays open preseason training March 1 and open their 2003 season at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5 against the Philadelphia Charge in Spartan Stadium. Season tickets are on sale now at CyberRays Tower, 1991 Park Ave., in San Jose or online at http://www..sjcyberrays.com/tickets/tix_seasontix.html.

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