San Diego Ties Breakers, 1-1

Published on May 3, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


FOXBORO, Mass. - The San Diego Spirit picked up a big point on the road, earning a 1-1 tie with the Boston Breakers in a match played at Gillette Stadium as part of a doubleheader with Major League Soccer. Julie Fleeting's goal on a header in the 62nd minute moved the Spirit to 2-1-1 on the season (7 points) while Boston moved to 3-1-1 (10 points).

The Spirit started poorly as the Breakers scored on their first shot of the game in the 4th minute. German Maren Meinert crossed from right side and Dagny Mellgren snuck in front of a Spirit defender to send a header into the right corner from eight yards out.

The match marked the professional debut of Spirit goalkeeper Jenni Branam, who was solid the rest of the way, making three saves. The Breakers made two substitutes at halftime, as Heather Aldama and Devvyn Hawkins left the match, with Kristine Lilly departing as well in the 60th minute, and the Spirit had more of the play in the second half.

The tying goal was very similar to the Breakers' score as second half substitute Zhang Ouying, who entered at the break for Allie Sullivan, crossed from the right side to the far post. Fleeting headed the ball past LeBlanc from six yards out for her third goal of the season and second header score of the young campaign.

Both goalkeepers made a handful of quality saves in the match. Branam came up big on Meinert free kicks in the 36th minute, and one minute into stoppage time, diving to keep the ball out of the net both times.

Fleeting had a header in the 44th minute that pulled a diving save from LeBlanc, then the Breakers goalkeeper denied the Scottish international with a kick-save in the 64th minute. Midfielder Aly Wagner also had a header chance in the 70th minute, but she put her shot off a tough chance over the bar.

The Spirit had a golden chance to pick up the win on the road in the 88th minute, but Shannon MacMillan banged her free kick shot off the crossbar from 25 yards out.

The tie gives Spirit a chance to split the season series when the two teams meet for the final time this season on Sunday, May 18, at Torero Stadium in the Spirit's next home match which is Spirit T-Shirt Day. San Diego's next match is a tough one, on the road at the Atlanta Beat next Saturday, May 10, in a match that will be broadcast live on Channel 4 San Diego at 4 p.m. PT.

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