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Fleeting Leads Spirit to Huge 1-0 Win Over the Carolina Courage

August 3, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Spirit picked up one of the biggest wins in franchise history, edging the Carolina Courage, 1-0, on a first-half goal from Scottish striker Julie Fleeting. With the win, the Spirit controls its own playoff fate and a victory next Saturday over the Washington Freedom at Torero Stadium (1 p.m. PT) will clinch a spot in the post season. The Spirit moved to 7-6-7 on the year (28 points) while the Courage dropped 7-9-3 (24 points).

It was just the second shutout of the season for the Spirit and it could not have come at a more opportune time. Rookie Jenni Branam made four saves, two of the game-saving variety, and picked up her first career WUSA shutout while recording 10 catch/punches.

The only goal of the match came in the 32nd minute after a Spirit corner kick. The ball bounced out to the right flank where Brazilian midfield Daniela settled it and chipped a cross into the middle. Fleeting jumped over Unni Lehn to power a header into the lower left corner from seven yards out past diving Courage goalkeeper Kristen Luckenbill. The goal for Fleeting was her 10th of the season making her just the second Spirit player, joining Shannon MacMillan (12 goals in 2001), to score in double-figures.

The Spirit out-shot the Courage 22-10 and the first 45 minutes was among the best halves of the season for San Diego, which showed a great attacking rhythm, and created numerous chances down both flanks.

Carolina had its best two chances of the game in the 39th minute after German forward Birgit Prinz popped free in the penalty box, but the charging Branam snuffed the shot. The ball bounced back out to the top of the penalty area where Lehn settled, and then sent a chip over Branam, who was scrambling to get back into her goal. Branam flew backwards to tip the ball off the crossbar before it was bundled into the net by Prinz, but the flag was up for offside and the goal was disallowed.

The Spirit had a golden chance to take the lead in the 12th minute as Fleeting broke down the right side and shot from 15 yards out. Luckenbill deflected the ball and Christine Latham got her foot on it, but Luckenbill again was there to get a piece of the ball. It bounced up in the air and Zhang Ouying flew through to head the ball back at the goal, but Luckenbill recovered to snag it. The match marked the last of the year for Zhang, who returns to China tomorrow to begin training with her national team. Her return date was negotiated before the season between the WUSA and the Chinese Soccer Association.

Almost all of the Courage danger came from Prinz, or from defender Danielle Slaton overlapping down the left flank. The Spirit back line of Joy Fawcett, Kim Pickup and Lisa Krzykowski was phenomenal in keeping Prinz off the board and winning the lion's share of head balls throughout the match.

The Spirit lost a little rhythm in beginning of the second half, but possessed the ball well to salt the game away. Branam was solid off her line to cut off errant Courage through balls while sending her booming punts deep into the Courage half.

The Courage had a great chance in the 52nd minute as Slaton tore around the left corner and dribbled straight at goal. Pickup and Krzykowski both got their feet on the ball before it bounced up in the air for Branam to grab. The Spirit had several chances to seal the game in the final minutes, including two shots from midfielder Jen Nielsen. Fleeting had the best chance in the 89th minute after her left-footed shot was pushed off the inside of the right post by the diving Luckenbill, who then fell on the rebound.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 3, 2003


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