San Diego ties CyberRays 2-2 in final minute

Published on July 3, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release


SAN JOSE (July 2, 2003) – Sissi, who put the CyberRays ahead for the first time with 12 minutes to go, said it felt like someone had poured cold water into her head.

She was talking about the San Diego Spirit goal in the 90th minute that snatched a 2-2 tie from what appeared to be a certain CyberRays victory tonight at Spartan Stadium.

Disappointed though he was, however, CyberRays coach Ian Sawyers said he was proud of his team's second-half comeback from a one-goal halftime deficit after surviving a nine-game stretch in which seven were played on the East Coast and then playing four games in 10 days.

``It was really disappointing to concede a late goal, but considering our schedule and all the travel we've been doing, I hold my hand up to the players for their effort,'' he said.

San Diego's Canadian forward, Christine Latham, had both Spirit goals in the tie that pulled the CyberRays, now 5-7-2, into a three-way tie for fourth in the WUSA with 17 points.

``The only thing in our favor,'' Sawyers said, ``is that everything in the standings is bunched. If we win two, we're back in it. To be honest with you, every game now is critical.''

The CyberRays travel to New York on Saturday to play in the Power in the WUSA's nationally televised 1 p.m. match on PAX TV – their fifth game 13 days – and then they'll take a 15-day break.

The CyberRays were down at the half following Latham's strike in the 43rd minute, a header from six yards out on a cross from the right by Julie Fleeting.

Then Katia, who had gone eight games without a goal, struck from 15 yards to the far post to even things just four minutes into the second half.

``The goal tonight was really important,'' she said. ``I tried to score and tried to score and it didn't happen, and I was saying to myself `Gosh, what's going on.' But today was a good game, a really good game. The team played really well, and we were really comfortable.''

In the 78th minute Sissi picked off a clearing pass from San Diego goalkeeper Jenni Branam 40 yards out and immediately banged it back into the upper right corner of the goal. It was the first time this season that the CyberRays had overcome a deficit to take the lead.

It was Sissi's first 90-minute game since suffering a rib injury against the New York Power on June 8. ``I was a little frustrated the last few games because I wasn't well,'' she said. ``But tonight I felt secure and positive. It was positive.''

At least until Latham poured cold water into her head.

In the final minute, San Diego's Allie Sullivan crossed through a crowd of CyberRays to Latham, who was sliding in directly in front of the goal.

``Great ball, great timing and it went right in,'' Latham said.

‘Nuf said.

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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 3, 2003


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