Power Weekly Notes
May 5, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
New York Power News Release
Last Week in Review: May 3 New York Power 5, Philadelphia Charge 4 @ Philadelphia Behind two goals by rookie Christie Welsh, the Power defeated the Charge 5-4 in Philadelphia. Krista Davey had the game-winner in stoppage time, giving the Power their first two-game winning streak since June 2001. Tiffeny Milbrett and Justi Baumgardt also tallied for the Power.
Upcoming Week: Power vs. Boston Breakers @ New York. Season Series: First Meeting. All-time Regular Season Series: Series tied 3-3-0. Top Scorers: New York - Tiffeny Milbrett (6g - 3a = 15pts); Boston - Dagny Mellgren (7g - 0a = 14pts). Power Key Players Out: New York - D Sara Whalen (ACL); D Kristy Whelchel (ACL); D Lauren Orlandos (Hamstring Strains); D Cheryl Salisbury (Calf Strain - R); M Anita Rapp (Norwegian National Team Duty). Power-Breakers Notes: The Power will look to snap a three-game losing streak to Boston. The Power swept the series in 2001, while Boston swept the series in 2002. The Power will look to stop Dagny Mellgren, who has recorded seven goals against the Power. With a win, the Power will record their first three-game winning streak in team history and match the total number of wins from 2002.
Key Matchup: New York F Tiffeny Milbrett vs. Boston D Kate Sobrero: Sobrero will have her hands full trying to keep Milbrett off the score sheet. Milbrett has scored six goals and added three assists against Boston, in six games. Milbrett is also on a bit of a roll, scoring three goals the last two games.
Power Head Coach Tom Sermanni on Boston: "Boston is a very good offensive club, that can score a lot of goals. They are playing real well right now and should be a good test for us."
POWER INJURY UPDATE
OUT: D Sara Whalen (ACL - R); D Kristy Whelchel (ACL - R); D Lauren Orlandos (Hamstring Strains); D Cheryl Salisbury (Calf Strain - R)
DOUBTFUL: none
QUESTIONABLE: GK Saskia Webber (Calf Strain - R) PROBABLE: none
Power Quotes:
New York's Tiffeny Milbrett: "We have a really close knit team and organization. We have to make sure that whatever happens never gets inside. It's not surprising. What we worked on as a team for us was to get our defense right first and we have. Because of that we are stopping play closer to the opponents goal and finally get some offense around the ball. This year it's a testament to how well our team is defensively first. Being able to stop teams and move forward and be an offensive threat. We are just trying to do things right against any team. It's about finding holes and being able to put the ball in the net."
"With (Christie) Welsh, the potential is always there. She is a more seasoned player. I'm excited in what I've seen in her. She has a tremendous ability to get on balls and score goals."
New York Head Coach Tom Sermanni: "I think if you look at the games over the previous three weeks we have created a lot of chances. We have a lot of support. We beat a team that creates changes."
"I thought both teams, particularly in the first half defended poorly. I think both teams are very disappointed in how hey defended rather than the creativity of the other team." New York's Krista Davey: "I got a great ball from Joey and just went at the defense and realized I was at the top of the 18 and just took the shot. I almost passed it, but I took the shot and it luckily went in."
New York's Christie Welsh: "Ever since the season started I've been trying to offensively keep my back to the keeper and get out there when they aren't paying attention. I saw [Moore] coming to the ball so I just ran straight through it and wanted to get my body on the ball."
Power Notes:
Welsh Named MET-Rx Player of the Week
Rookie forward Christie Welsh has been selected as the league's MET-Rx Player of the Week for the week ending May 4, 2003. The second overall pick in the 2003 WUSA Draft scored two goals to lead the Power to a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Charge on May 3 at Villanova Stadium.
Welsh's two goals led New York to its first two-game winning streak since June 2001. In the 40th minute, Welsh made a run at Philadelphia goalkeeper Melissa Moore, hurrying Moore's kick which hit Welsh in the chest and bounced back into the net, tying the game at 3-3. Welsh would score her second goal in the 85th minute, this time tying the score at four apiece. After a scramble in the box, Power midfielder Shannon Boxx's shot deflected off a Charge defender and went directly to Welsh, who calmly tapped it home for the goal. With the two goals, Welsh became only the second New York player besides Tiffeny Milbrett to score more than one goal in a game.
Welsh follows Milbrett in winning the weekly honor, as the 2001 WUSA Most Valuable Player won the award last week. In fact, Welsh is the only other Power player to win the weekly award in the league's three seasons. Milbrett and Welsh have combined for six goals in the last two games.
Milestones
With one more goal, Tiffeny Milbrett will be the first player to reach 30 career goals. Milbrett needs 31 more points to reach 100 career points in the WUSA.
Two In A Row
With the 5-4 win over the Charge, the Power have won two games in a row for the first time since June 2001. The Power have never won three game in a row in their history.
Two For Welsh
With two goals against Philadelphia, Christie Welsh became only the second player to Tiffeny Milbrett in Power history to record more than one goal in a game.
Road Warrior
Tiffeny Milbrett's last 16 goals have been scored on the road away from Mitchel Athletic Complex. The last home goal for Milbrett came on July 26, 2001 in a 4-2 win over the Boston Breakers.
• Discuss this story on the Women's United Soccer Association message board...
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from May 5, 2003
- WUSA Invades World Cup - WUSA
- Target: Playoffs - San Diego Spirit
- Power Weekly Notes - New York Power
- Beat Looks to Get Back on Winning Track in Showdown Versus San Diego - Atlanta Beat
- Courage Introduces the 'Kickback Zone' - Carolina Courage
- Christie Welsh Named MET-Rx Player of the Week - New York Power
- Welsh Named Player of the Week - WUSA
- San Diego Spirit Match Date Change - San Diego Spirit
- CyberRays-San Diego game changed to July 2 at Spartan - San Jose CyberRays
- Team returns home for rare springtime game - San Jose CyberRays
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.
