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Mellgren Leads Boston Past Spirit

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


BOSTON, MA - Dagny Mellgren's two goals led the Boston Breakers (4-6-5, 17 pts.) past the San Diego Spirit (3-8-3, 12 pts.) 3-2 on Wednesday evening at Nickerson Field. After Boston jumped out to a 3-0 lead, San Diego battled back to come within one goal of the Breakers. However, Mellgren's goal in the 52nd minute proved to be the game-winner, keeping Boston undefeated at home (3-0-4) this season.

Mellgren netted her second goal of the night in the 52nd minute to give Boston a 3-0 lead. Bettina Wiegmann sent a long-ball to the left of goalkeeper Carly Smolak. Mellgren ran on to the ball and sent it far post for her 10th goal of the season. Maren Meinert recorded her third assist of the night, tying the WUSA record for assist in a single game. The record is also held by teammate Kristine Lilly (June 22, 2002) and San Jose's Brandi Chastain (July 21, 2001).

Angela Hucles got the Breakers on the board early with her second goal of the season in the third minute. Hucles blasted a shot from 30-yards out that slipped under Spirit goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo's arm. The shot was taken near post to the right of the San Diego 'keeper. Both Meinert and Wiegmann were credited with assists on the play.

The "Big Three" for Boston extended the Breakers' lead to 2-0 in the 12th minute. Meinert crossed a ball from the left side of the field into the area. Lilly, who was standing to the left of Pagliarulo, got a foot on the ball but did not strike it cleanly. The ball then squirted to Mellgren, who was standing to the right of the San Diego goalkeeper. Mellgren buried a shot into the back of the net for her ninth goal of the season. Lilly and Meinert each earned their ninth assist of the season on the score.

For the second straight match San Diego backup goalkeeper Smolak entered the match for Pagliarulo at halftime.

San Diego cut into the Boston lead in the 58th minute with a goal by Shannon MacMillan. Making her WUSA debut Scottish international Julie Fleeting, who came in for Sherrill Kester in the 54th minute, sent a pass to MacMillan at the upper left corner of the area. The San Diego striker drilled the ball near post past Boston's Tracy Ducar to make the score 3-1. The goal was "Mac's" fourth of the season. The assist was Fleeting first of her WUSA career.

Julie Foudy drew the Spirit within one goal of the Breakers with her fourth score of the season in the 79th minute. On a free kick, 35 yards out, by MacMillan, Foudy redirected the ball to the near post with her head past Ducar. The goal was the San Diego midfielder's third goal in her last two games. The free kick was the result of MacMillan being fouled by Keri Sanchez on the left side of the field.

Boston 'keeper Ducar made her 2002 debut, registering her first win of the season.



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


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