CyberRays hang tough in playoff race with 2-1 victory over Philadelphia

July 20, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release


SAN JOSE (July 20, 2003) – The CyberRays' first come-from-behind victory of 2003 was long in coming, but not too late. Today's 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Charge at Spartan Stadium kept the seventh-place CyberRays in the hunt for a berth in the WUSA playoffs, now just five games away.

Katia and Katie Barnes came through with goals in the 41st and 61st minutes, respectively, to overcome Philadelphia's early Melanie Hoffman goal for the victory.

``I don't think this was our best game, but it definitely was one of our grittiest,'' CyberRays coach Ian Sawyers said. ``It was a game of high stakes, and we didn't play our best game, but we found a way to win.''

The CyberRays are 6-8-2 with 20 standings points but only four points out of fourth place, the lowest position for the playoffs, which begin Aug. 16.

Both teams battled stifling 91-degree heat and uncommon California humidity – neither of the CyberRays' scorers was able to finish the match – but the weather may have been harder on Philadelphia, which was playing its fifth game in 15 days. The CyberRays were playing for the first time since July 5.

Hoffmann's goal came in the fourth minute off a corner kick that CyberRays defender Dianne Alagich cleared out of the penalty box with her head. Hoffmann collected it about 20 yards out and then rifled a shot into the upper left corner of the goal.

Katia tied the game with a brilliant 40-yard run in which she beat a Philadelphia defender and then goalkeeper Hope Solo before shooting at an open goal. Katie Barnes' game-winner – a 10-yard one-touch shot on a Sissi pass – was her second this season against Philadelphia.

``I don't know what it is about Philadelphia, but I always seem to play halfway decent against them,'' Barnes said. ``I saw the ball on the right side and that it was coming to me, and I was ready for it.''

Three of the CyberRays' remaining five matches will be played in Spartan Stadium beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday when they face the second-place Boston Breakers.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 20, 2003


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