New York sweeps tired CyberRays
July 5, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (July 5, 2003) â The CyberRays are getting a two-week break for rest and relaxation, but a stretch of five games in 13 days following two months on the road have taken their toll.
Today's 2-1 loss to the New York Power finished off one of the most trying periods in team history, and things will have to go absolutely right in the final six games for the CyberRays, 5-8-2 with 17 points in seventh place, to return to the playoffs. The CyberRays are three points behind New York, which holds fourth, the final playoff spot, but would need to finish ahead of the Power in points to advance because New York swept the three-game season series.
``I think everybody is exhausted,'' CyberRays coach Ian Sawyers said at the end of the humid, 93-degree day. ``All the players struggled with the heat and fatigue, but the effort was fantastic. It's going to be a good thing to have a rest, regroup, enter last these last six games (four of which are home in Spartan Stadium) and see if we can put some points together.''
A pair of corner kick goals in a three-minute span of the second half finished off the CyberRays at New York's Mitchell Athletic Complex even though the CyberRays held position and out-shot the Power.
``We had four 1v1s that we did not put away, a penalty turned down on a handball save in the box and we hit the post twice,'' Sawyers said. ``That kind of sums up how it's gone for us so far. But the kids fought hard. Their legs were gone. The heat was oppressive. Keri Sanchez worked her tail off.
Sanchez, who began the season on the back line but was playing up top in New York, banged the left post in the 27th minute, had half of the CyberRays' eight shots on goal and finally got some reward in the 86th minute when she sent a cross to the left through traffic that Tisha Venturini-Hoch slid onto for a one-touch goal.
The sluggish pace of the scoreless first half was quickly forgotten in the second after two of Justi Baumgardt's corner kicks were converted into New York goals by Jaclyn Raveia in the 57th minute and Cheryl Salisbury in the 60th.
The CyberRays moved from a 4-3-3 into a more offensive 3-4-3 and peppered the New York defense with shots, but only Venturini-Hoch's got through.
Beginning in the 71st minute, substitute forward Mandy Clemens' almost-certain goal was denied by what appeared to be a Raveia handball in the penalty box. A minute later Raveia blocked a Sanchez shot set up by a Clemens' cross. Webber saved Sanchez in the 77th, and Clemens whacked the near post in the 79th.
The CyberRays, who have played three more games than the league-leading Atlanta Beat and four more than the Washington Freedom, return to the pitch July 20 against the Philadelphia Charge. Their closing stretch includes two home matches against the Boston Breakers, tied with Atlanta atop the WUSA, and one against the Beat.
• Discuss this story on the Women's United Soccer Association message board...
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 5, 2003
- Power Down CyberRays, 2-1 - New York Power
- New York sweeps tired CyberRays - San Jose CyberRays
- Spirit Ties Charge, 1-1, in Philadelphia - San Diego Spirit
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent San Jose CyberRays Stories
- CyberRays' massive PR operation shuts down, unemployment jumps
- CyberRays shutdown schedule will close office on Sept. 26
- CyberRays GM Marlene Bjornsrud on cessation of WUSA operations
- CyberRays, WUSA cease operations
- CyberRays' Brandi Chastain named to U.S. World Cup team
