Pretinha scores twice as CyberRays down Philadelphia
May 24, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release
VILLANOVA, Pa. (May 23, 2003) â Pretinha had her biggest game as a professional tonight, scoring both goals in the CyberRays' 2-0 defeat of the Philadelphia Charge.
The victory lifted the CyberRays, 4-3-0 with 12 standings points, from fifth to third place in the WUSA standings and clinched their season series against Philadelphia. The CyberRays downed Philadelphia 1-0 in their season-opener at Spartan Stadium, and the teams will play once more July 20 in San Jose.
Pretinha, the CyberRays' Brazilian forward, had 10 career WUSA goals going into the game, but had never scored two in the same game until striking in the 40th and 61st minutes against Philadelphia.
``She was world class tonight,'' coach Ian Sawyers said. ``Her touches were great. Her movement off the ball was great. She was attacking off the dribble and was difficult to contain.''
Her first goal came from just inside the 18-yard box when she ran onto a through ball from Katie Barnes and beat goalkeeper Hope Solo. In the second half, Mandy Clemens, obtained from Philadelphia in an off-season trade, fired a shot at Solo that she tipped into the crossbar. Pretinha, following behind Clemens, headed the rebound for the score.
``I really happy to score the two goals,'' Pretinha said. ``The team worked really, really hard, so it made it easy for me to score. Everybody played well.''
The game was played on a slick, wet artificial surface in cool weather, and Sawyers said he was especially happy with the defense under those conditions. ``Defensively we were superb,'' he said. CyberRays goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene made only two saves in recording her third shutout of the season.
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