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Katia Leads 'Rays Past Beat

July 10, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release


SAN JOSE, CA - Katia scored two goals to lead a second-half scoring barrage as the San Jose CyberRays defeated the Atlanta Beat 3-1 Wednesday evening at Spartan Stadium. With the victory, San Jose (6-5-3, 21 pts.) moves ahead of Atlanta (6-7-1, 19 pts.) and into a third-place tie with Washington in the WUSA standings.

Atlanta dominated the majority of the first half after Homare Sawa put the Beat up 1-0 in the third minute with her third goal of the season. From the right side, Atlanta's Emily Burt lofted a ball to an unmarked Sawa just outside the six-yard box, and the Japanese national team standout's header beat San Jose goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene at the far post.

Realizing that a tactical change was needed to slow down Atlanta, San Jose Head Coach Ian Sawyers brought in forward Kim Clark in the 41st minute to replace defender Michelle French. With Clark up top, Brandi Chastain moved from her forward position back to defense. Clark, who missed the last game while nursing a sprained ankle, had a solid match, but Chastain's ability to get forward from the back while not compromising the defense made a significant impact for the CyberRays.

Atlanta outshot San Jose 6-3 during the first 45 minutes, including a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal, but the momentum was about to change.

San Jose came out inspired in the second half, and Katia scored her first goal of the evening in the 51st minute to even the match at 1-1. The Brazilian national team star took on Atlanta defender Julie Augustyniak at the top of the penalty area, faked outside and then cracked a shot to the inside to beat Atlanta goalkeeper Melanie Wilson just inside the far post. Wilson, who was slightly out of position on the goal, was making her 2002 debut as regular starter Briana Scurry missed the match with the flu. In addition to missing Scurry, Beat leading scorer Charmaine Hooper was out while serving a yellow card suspension.

San Jose went up 2-1 10 minutes later when a Sissi freekick was redirected by Tisha Venturini-Hoch in the 61st minute. Venturini-Hoch, who has four goals this season, has scored three of those goals in her last four games.

Katia made it 3-1 in the 69th minute when she scored her 10th goal of the season. Clark sent a long cross in from the left side, and Katia one-timed a 17-yard shot from the right corner of the penalty area past Wilson.

San Jose nearly had another goal in the 81st minute, but Sissi's shot banged off the left post.

Although San Jose had defeated Atlanta at Founders Cup I to win the WUSA championship last year, the CyberRays had not won any of their previous five regular-season meetings against the Beat. San Jose was 0-4-1 against the Beat during the regular season prior to tonight's win.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 10, 2002


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