Power Weekly Notes

April 21, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
New York Power News Release


Last Week in Review: April 19 San Diego Spirit 2, New York Power 0, @ New York Shannon MacMillan scored a goal and added an assist as the San Diego Spirit downed the New York Power 2-0 Saturday evening at Mitchel Athletic Complex. The Power were without the services of Sara Whalen (ACL - R), Kristy Whelchel (ACL - R), Jaclyn Raveia (hairline fracture to her right collarbone), Saskia Webber (Calf Strain - R). Cheryl Salisbury made her Power debut, but had to leave the game in the 45+ minute, due to a right calf strain that she has been nursing.

Upcoming Week: Power vs. Carolina Courage @ Carolina. Season Series: First Meeting. All-time Regular Season Series: Series tied 3-3-0. Top Scorers: New York - Tiffeny Milbrett (5g - 4a = 14pts); Carolina - Danielle Fotopoulos (3g - 4a = 10pts), Birgit Prinz (4g - 2a = 10pts), Hege Riise (2g - 6a = 10pts). Power Key Players Out: New York - D Sara Whalen (ACL); D Kristy Whelchel (ACL); D Christie Pearce (National Team Duty); F Tiffeny Milbrett (National Team Duty). Power-Courage Notes: The Power will look to break a three-game losing streak to the Courage. The Power swept the series in 2001, while Carolina swept the series on their way to the championship in 2002. Without Milbrett, the Power will look for Tammy Pearman and Shannon Boxx to supply offensive production, as both have good numbers against Carolina. In five games, Pearman has two goals and an assist, while Boxx had two goals and two assists in six games as a member of the Spirit. Carolina's Hege Riise has torched the Power's midfield, assisting on six goals and chipping in two goals of her own.

Key Matchup: New York F Christie Welsh vs. Carolina D Nel Fettig: Welsh will look to score her first professional goal, when she goes up against Fettig and the rest of the Carolina defense. Welsh has been close the past few weeks, hitting the crossbar against Washington, and being robbed by a great save by San Diego's Jamie Paguliaro last week. Fettig is a skilled defender, who seems to play her best against her former team (New York).

Power Head Coach Tom Sermanni on Carolina: "Obviously they are a good team, being last year's champions. They have a very potent strike force, and are another good side. Being last year's champs, teams have been playing them keyed up, showing them a lot of respect."

POWER INJURY UPDATE

OUT: D Sara Whalen (ACL - R); D Kristy Whelchel (ACL - R)
DOUBTFUL: none
QUESTIONABLE: D Jaclyn Raveia (Hairline Fracture - R Collarbone); Lauren Orlandos (Hamstring Strains); Cheryl Salisbury (Calf Strain - R); GK Saskia Webber (Calf Strain - R)
PROBABLE: none

Power Quotes:

New York Head Coach Tom Sermanni - "This game was better than the last we played, which was better than our first game to start. So overall I would say we have definitely shown improvement and we are not that far away at all from becoming successful."

"The effort is great and the game results will come soon. We can't bring this game back, all we can do is prepare for next week."

New York's Margaret Tietjen - "Its definitely frustrating when you don't win, but we definitely feel better and think we played better in this game than in the past. We are getting the chances, now we just have to finish our opportunities"

Power Notes:

Injury Bug

The injury bug has hit the Power, especially on the defensive end. As of Monday, April 21, defenders Jaclyn Raveia (hairline fracture to her right collarbone), Lauren Orlandos (hamstring strains) and Cheryl Salisbury (right calf strain) are all listed as questionable for the match against Carolina. The Power will also be without the services of defender Christie Pearce and forward Tiffeny Milbrett, as they will be in Washington, DC due to national team obligations.

First Win

Going into week four, Power coach Tom Sermanni, is still searching for his first win as a WUSA head coach. It took former coaches, Pat Farmer and Charlie Duccilli three and five games respectively to pick up their first WUSA victory.

Fast Start

The Power will look to get off to a quick start against the Courage. They have won just five of 27 games (5-22-0) when their opponent has scored first, and are 0-15-0 when trailing at the half.

0-For-April at Home

April hasn't been kind to the Power at Mitchel Athletic Complex. Not having another home game this month, the Power have an all-time record for the month of April of 0-2-1.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from April 21, 2003


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.

OurSports Central