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Late Dominguez Goal Gives Beat 1-1 Tie with Spirit

May 10, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


ATLANTA - The Atlanta Beat avoided a two game losing streak, with help from a 75th minute Maribel Dominguez goal, her sixth of the season, which tied the game 1-1. Julie Fleeting notched the San Diego Spirit's only goal, her fourth of the season, as each team's record remained identical at 2-1-2.

The San Diego Spirit came out firing in the first half, with nine shots, four on goal. The first scoring opportunity came in the 10th minute when Julie Foudy collected a loose ball 20 yards out and shot wide right on the open goal. One minute later, Fleeting would nearly get the first goal as she struck a powerful header from 12 yards out that Briana Scurry was able to grab for her first of five saves.

Spirit goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo came up big with three saves in the first half, the first and most dangerous coming in the 23rd minute, when Homare Sawa broke through the defense and sent a hard shot towards the left corner of the goal. Pagliarulo dove to her right and pushed the ball wide with her right hand.

The second half was just as wide open, as each team had scoring chances. The Beat brought on rookie forward Abby Crumpton at halftime and the substitution would pay off, as she created numerous chances with her slashing runs down the middle of the field.

Fleeting kept the pressure on the Beat's defense and would finally get her goal in the 67th minute on her 5th shot. Spirit midfielder Shannon MacMillan took a corner kick, one of San Diego's nine in the game, from the left side of the field and sent a looping cross to the back post. Fleeting met the ball with another powerful header and sent it past Scurry, only her third goal allowed in five games.

The Beat did not let down after the goal allowed and came back with one of their own in the 75th minute. The goal was set up in the midfield with Cindy Parlow winning a sliding tackle and then touching the ball to Crumpton in the midfield. Crumpton drove towards goal from midfield and slid the ball into the penalty area for Dominguez. After eluding defenders, Dominguez placed a shot towards the left corner of the goal. The ball went through defender Lisa Krzykowski's legs, slightly deflecting off the right leg, and ran over the goal line. The goal was Dominguez's 6th of the season. She's scored a goal in four of the Beat's five games this season and is tied with Boston's Maren Meinert for the league lead.

The Beat's and Spirit's records remain the same at 2-1-2 with eight points. The Beat next faces the San Jose CyberRays on Saturday, May 17 in Atlanta. The Beat will look to avenge the May 3, 1-0 loss to San Jose.

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