Fettig's Goal Wins it for Courage
July 19, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Carolina Courage News Release
Cary, NC (July 19, 2003) - Nel Fettig scored her second game-winning goal of the season, as the Carolina Courage kept its playoff hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over the San Diego Spirit at SAS Stadium on Saturday.
The Courage looked like a team with its back up against the wall from the opening whistle. In just the first minute of play, Unni Lehn whipped a ball in from the left flank that dipped in dangerously at the near post. Birgit Prinz, arriving late, slid to redirect it, but the ball scooted just left of the goal.
Carolina continued to apply the pressure early, winning several corner kicks. Courage defender Danielle Slaton moved into the penalty area, wreaking havoc in the box. Twice she got on the end of crosses, nodding one wide right and another just over the crossbar
Finally, on Carolina's fifth corner attempt, the Courage broke through. Brooke O'Hanley drove a corner kick across the face of the goal that sailed over Spirit goalkeeper Jenni Branam and ricocheted off Julie Foudy. Courage defender Nel Fettig jumped on the loose ball and slotted it into the Spirit goal.
The Courage, despite an 11-2 shot advantage, was only able to take a 1-0 lead into the locker room at half.
The second half was a different story, altogether, with the Spirit dictating the tempo and controlling possession throughout.
San Diego created numerous scoring opportunities and Scottish forward Julie Fleeting took five consecutive shots. Unfortunately each of her attempts either missed the mark or were swallowed up by Courage goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill.
San Diego nearly evened the score in the final minute of regulation. Jen Nielsen crossed a ball to San Diego teammate Allie Sullivan, who found herself unmarked in front of the goal, ten yards out. Sullivan struck the ball high, and the Spirit's best opportunity of the game was squandered.
Carolina improved to 6-7-3, 21 pts, while San Diego stayed put at 24 points with a record of 6-5-6.
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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 19, 2003
- Fettig's Goal Wins it for Courage - Carolina Courage
- Spirit Fall to Courage, 1-0, in North Carolina - San Diego Spirit
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