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CyberRays host Washington in matchup of undefeated teams

April 14, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release


SAN JOSE (April 14, 2002) – After a one-week respite following their 1-0 season-opening victory, the San Jose CyberRays return to WUSA action Saturday when they host Mia Hamm and the Washington Freedom. The 4:30 p.m. match at Spartan Stadium is the first match of a doubleheader, followed at 7 p.m. by the San Jose Earthquakes and Kansas City Wizards.

Week 3: Mia Hamm and the undefeated Washington Freedom Washington has opened its season with a pair of victories – a 2-1 opener against the 2002 WUSA champion Carolina Courage and 3-1 Saturday over the New York Power. Mia Hamm had a goal in both games, and former CyberRay Jacqui Little scored twice against New York. The CyberRays, along with Washington and the 2-0 Atlanta Beat, are the WUSA's only unbeaten teams going into Week 3. Season series: First meeting. All-time series: 3-3-0. Top scorers: CyberRays – Katie Barnes (1g = 2pts); Washington – Mia Hamm (2g, 1a = 5pts), Jacqui Little (2g, 1a = 5 pts). Training schedule this week at West Valley College: Off today. 1:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. Friday at Spartan Stadium. Washington will practice at 4:30 p.m. Friday in Spartan.

CyberRays-Washington series notes: The CyberRays and Washington Freedom played the WUSA's inaugural game April 14, 2001, won by Washington 1-0 on a penalty kick in the 70th minute by Pretinha. ... Each team in this series is 2-1 against the other at home. ... This will be the only game of the three to be played this season in Spartan Stadium.

Key matchup: Washington forward Mia Hamm vs. CyberRays central defender Brandi Chastain. Teammates on the U.S. national team, their WUSA confrontations are always special. Out much of the early part of last season, Hamm has been on a scoring tear since she returned and had the game-winner April 5 against the 2002 champion Carolina Courage. Brandi had a solid game in shutting down Philadelphia's Marinette Pichon in week 1.

Coach Sawyers on Washington: ``With the firepower of Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach, we'll be struggling to keep Washington in check. It will be a great contest.''

Game notes Sister vs. sister: Betsy Barr, the CyberRays midfielder and first pick in this year's WUSA Draft, is a sister of Washington Freedom defender Emmy Barr, who has been in the league since the inaugural season. Emmy played her college soccer at Santa Clara, Betsy finished her Portland career in December by winning the NCAA championship. They are the daughters of former San Francisco Giants pitcher Jim Barr and grew up near Sacramento in Granite Bay, Calif.

Tough at home: The CyberRays have won their last three home games dating back to July 27, 2002, when they defeated the New York Power 4-1. Last season the CyberRays were 7-3-1 in Spartan Stadium and for their entire history they are 14-6-2 at home. The last home loss by the CyberRays was July 21, 2002, when Washington downed the CyberRays 3-2.

Ex-Washingtonians: The CyberRays' roster includes three players who have also played for the Washington Freedom. They are Pretinha, who played the 2001 season for Washington before coming to San Jose in a trade; Michelle French, who also played the WUSA's first season in Washington before a trade; and Ann Cook, who played for the CyberRays in 2001, went to Washington in the trade for French, and returned to San Jose this season after being waived by the Freedom. French became the first WUSA player to score against a former team with her goal April 21, 2001 in Washington in a 2-1 loss to the Freedom.

Alagich returns: Defender Dianne Alagich missed the CyberRays' first game against Philadelphia because she was playing for the Australian national team in its Oceania qualifying match against Samoa. Australia blasted the Samoans 19-0 and Alagich played 75 minutes. No, she did not score. Bummer. But she got two goals in Australia's 11-0 victory over the Cook Islands on April 7.

CyberRays newcomers: The opening-day starting 11 for the CyberRays included four players who were not on the roster in 2002. They included forward Mandy Clemens, obtained from Philadelphia in an off-season trade; defender Keri Sanchez, obtained in a draft day trade from the Boston Breakers; draft pick Betsy Barr in midfield; and forward Katie Barnes, claimed off waivers the March 26.

CyberRays injury update Dawn Greathouse (R elbow strain) out; Kelly Lindsey (R knee) questionable; Tisha Venturini-Hoch (R knee contusion) probable.

Quote of the week

``I didn't know how to celebrate. I just grabbed Brandi and lifted her up in the air, and then it occurred to me: `I just picked up Brandi Chastain!' ‘'

- Katie Barnes on scoring her first WUSA goal.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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