San Jose, Boston Battle to Tie
June 29, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
BOSTON, MA - The San Jose CyberRays (5-4-3, 18 pts.) and Boston Breakers (3-5-5, 14 pts.) battled to a 1-1 tie on Saturday afternoon at Nickerson Field. An early goal by Katia in the 23rd minute got San Jose on the board. However, Kristine Lilly evened the score at 1-1 in the 26th minute.
San Jose struck first with a goal by Katia in the 23rd minute. Fellow Brazilian Sissi sent a through pass behind the Breakers' flat back four. Katia timed her run perfectly to collect the ball with only Boston goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc standing between her and the net. Katia struck the ball with the inside of her right foot to beat LeBlanc for the CyberRays' score.
The goal was Katia's eighth of the season, surpassing her 2001 goal scoring total of seven and tying the Brazilian striker for the league lead in goal scoring with Boston's Dagny Mellgren and New York's Tiffeny Milbrett. Sissi notched her seventh assist of the season, tying her for second in the WUSA in assists with Lilly and Meinert.
Three minutes later Lilly drew Boston even with San Jose with her third goal of the season. Mellgren passed a square ball to Maren Meinert. Meinert chipped the ball behind the San Jose defense to a streaking Lilly on the left side. The Boston playmaker struck the ball with her left foot into the lower right-hand corner of the net, making the score 1-1 in the 26th minute.
The assist from Meinert was her seventh of the season, moving the German international to second among the league leaders in scoring (19 pts.). Mellgren's assist on the play was her second of the season.
San Jose's Beene made a spectacular save with time winding down to preserve the draw. Just outside of the area, Boston's Meinert lofted a shot towards net from 20 yards out. The ball sailed on target and looked to be heading just below the crossbar. Fully extended, Beene got her hand up and punched the shot over the crossbar for a corner kick.
Boston forward Ragnhild Gulbrandsen made her WUSA debut in the 80th minute coming in for Mellgren.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 29, 2002
- Beat Falls 3-1 to the First Place Charge - Atlanta Beat
- Charge Keep Share of First - WUSA
- Courage Take Out Spirit, 3-0 - WUSA
- Courage Blanks Spirit, 3-0 - San Diego Spirit
- Charge Cool Off Beat With 3-1 Win - Philadelphia Charge
- Hamm Leads Freedom Past Power, 4-1 - WUSA
- San Jose, Boston Battle to Tie - WUSA
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