Prinz Helps Courage Whip San Jose
Published on August 3, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
CARY, NC - A two-goal performance by forward Birgit Prinz helped lead the Carolina Courage (11-5-3, 36 pts.) to its first appearance in the WUSA playoffs with a 4-1 victory over the San Jose CyberRays (8-7-4, 28 pts.) on Saturday afternoon at SAS Stadium. Danielle Slaton's game-winning goal in the 59th minute started a three-goal second half for the Courage, snapping a three-game losing skid for Carolina.
Slaton gave the Courage a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute with her fourth goal of the season. Teammate Tiffany Roberts sent a cross to Slaton at the far side of the penalty area. Carolina's first-round draft pick in the 2002 draft chipped the ball far post over San Jose goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene to find the back of the net.
Prinz got Carolina on the board in the 16th minute. Nel Fettig, on a free kick from 40 yards out, sent a ball to the top of the area. Danielle Fotopoulos flicked a header to Prinz, who was positioned at the top of the 18-yard box on the left side. The German striker half-volleyed a shot towards the far post. San Jose's Beene tracked the shot towards the far goal post, getting a hand on the ball. However, the ball spun over Beene and into the net, making the score 1-0 Courage. The goal was the 10th of the season for Prinz. Both Fotopoulos and Fettig were credited with assists on the play.
San Jose countered in the 27th minute with a goal by Tisha Venturini-Hoch. CyberRays forward Pretinha pushed the ball to fellow Brazilian Katia on the left side of the field. Bringing the ball into the penalty area, Katia sent a low-driving cross towards the center of the area. Venturini-Hoch streaked into area and got her right foot on the cross, redirecting the ball into the upper left corner of the net. The goal was Venturini-Hoch's sixth of the season, tying the match at 1-1. Both Pretinha and Katia were recorded assists on the goal.
Fotopoulos added to the Carolina lead with her 10th goal of the season in the 70th minute. With a loose ball at the edge of the 18-yard box, Prinz pushed a pass to Fotopoulos. "Fotop" beat two San Jose defenders, striking a shot past Beene to make the score 3-1. The assist was Prinz' sixth of the season.
Two minutes later, Fotopoulos returned the favor, assisting on Prinz' second goal of the match. In the 72nd minute, Fotopoulos sent a square pass to an unmarked Prinz just outside of the area. The Carolina striker brought the ball into the penalty area and blasted a shot into the upper left corner to extend Carolina's lead to 4-1. Both Hege Riise and Fotopoulos were credited with assists on the score.
The loss by the CyberRays also results in the Philadelphia Charge clinching a spot in the 2002 playoffs.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 3, 2002
- Charge, Zhao Beat Spirit - WUSA
- Philly Wins 3-1 Over San Diego - Philadelphia Charge
- Philadelphia-San Diego Quote Sheet - Philadelphia Charge
- Zhao Leads Charge to Win, 3-1 - Philadelphia Charge
- Prinz Helps Courage Whip San Jose - WUSA
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