Pair of Pretinha goals ties Washington on road

June 22, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release


WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 22, 2003) – Pretinha played her first WUSA season for the Washington Freedom, but she scored a pair of goals today to end the CyberRays' three-game losing streak by tying second-place Washington 2-2 on the road.

The tie – first of the season for the CyberRays – moved the team to 4-6-1 with 13 standings points, seventh in the WUSA but just three points out of playoff contention at the beginning of the season's second half.

``We played pretty well,'' said CyberRays coach Ian Sawyers, who had to put together a lineup without last season's leading scorer, Katia, who was serving a yellow-card suspension, as well as injured midfielder Sissi and defenders Dianne Alagich and Kelly Lindsey. ``We came back from a couple of goals that we don't normally give up, and we fought really hard in the second half.''

Sissi, who missed last week's game against the New York Power with a dislocated rib, entered the second half against Washington.

Pretinha, who played despite a groin strain suffered last weekend, turned defensive pressure into a goal in the 32nd minute when she picked off an Abby Wambach back pass and beat Washington goalkeeper Siri Mullinix.

That gave the CyberRays a 1-0 advantage, but the lead lasted only until three minutes when Mia Hamm equalized. A minute before halftime Wambach gave Washington a 2-1 lead.

In the 48th minute, Brandi Chastain flicked on an Amanda Cromwell free kick that Pretinha headed in from 7 yards out.

``Peppy was outstanding coming off her injury,'' Sawyers said. ``She was world class.''

Wednesday night the CyberRays will return to Spartan Stadium to host the Carolina Courage, just one point ahead in sixth place.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 22, 2003


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