Pichon Leads Charge to Win
Published on July 7, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Philadelphia Charge News Release
VILLANOVA, PA (July 7, 2002) - Marinette Pichon recorded the first hat trick of the season for the Charge and Melissa Moore registered seven saves as Philadelphia defeated the New York Power, 3-1, at Villanova Stadium on Sunday night. The win keeps the Charge (9-1-3, 30pts) in a tie for first place with Carolina, while the Power (2-11-1, 7pts) fall to 0-2 against Philadelphia this season.
Pichon's hat trick was her fourth multi-goal game this season, as her team improved to 5-0-3 in its last eight games. The Frenchwoman took the league lead in points from New York's Tiffeny Milbrett with 25 and also became the all-time leading scorer for the Charge, surpassing Lu Ailing who has 24 points. Pichon, the WUSA's Player of the Month in June, has also scored 11 of the last 14 goals for the Charge and five in the last two games.
With the win, Philadelphia ran its home-unbeaten streak to 7-0-3 in its last ten games dating back to last season. The Charge are now 14-1-1 when they score first over the course of their franchise history and 6-0-1 this season when scoring after the 75th minute.
The game marked the return of former Charge goalie Saskia Weber. Webber posted eight saves for New York, which has dropped seven straight.
The Charge will look to push their unbeaten streak to nine games when they travel to Washington to face the Freedom next Sunday. This season in two meetings, the Charge lead the series 1-0-1. The Charge will return home on Saturday July 20th when they host the Carolina Courage. Call the Charge ticket office at 215-467-GOAL to inquire about tickets and any special promotions.
After a scoreless first half, the action heated up in the second half when Pichon broke the ice with her 10th goal in the 77th minute on a beautiful feed from Heather Mitts. The assist for Mitts was her fourth in the last four games. Pichon connected again in the 79th minute when she volleyed home a deflection off the post as a result of a header from Mandy Clemens to give the Charge the 2-0 lead.
The Power spoiled Moore's effort to preserve the shutout when Krista Davey received a pass from Milbrett and beat Moore to slice the lead in half at 2-1. As New York appeared to be shifting the momentum, Pichon closed the door on any comeback as she directed a perfect cross from Lorrie Fair into the back of the net in the 91st minute to seal the deal. The Charge defeated New York 3-1 earlier this season and have now defeated New York three consecutive times since losing to the Power 2-1 on June 17, 2001. The Charge lead the all-time series 3-1-1.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 7, 2002
- Pichon's Surge Buries Power - WUSA
- Pichon Leads Charge to Win - Philadelphia Charge
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