San Jose CyberRays 1, Boston Breakers 1

July 27, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release


SAN JOSE, CA – The Boston Breakers have never been to the WUSA playoffs, but they got a tie Sunday in Spartan Stadium that put them closer to that goal.

Their 1-1 match with the San Jose CyberRays, who are seeking to return to the post-season after a year's absence, pulled them into a second-place tie with the Washington Freedom with three games remaining on their schedule.

The one-point gained from the tie leaves San Jose still in seventh place, three points behind the Carolina Courage, whom they play Wednesday night in Cary, N.C. With four more games left in their regular season, San Jose need to win all their remaining games to guarantee post-season berth.

Three minutes into the second half San Jose forward Keri Sanchez dribbled through a pack of Boston defenders, passed the ball to the left across the penalty box, and a charging Tisha Venturini-Hoch hammered the ball past Boston goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. The goal was

Venturini-Hoch's third of the season and Sanchez's fifth assist.

Boston tied the game in the 64th as a frenzy of chaotic passes and missed shots found its conclusion when forward Maren Meinert finally made contact, scooping the ball in past San Jose's LaKeysia Beene from a few feet out. The goal was Meinert's ninth on the year and went unassisted. It was the only shot that got away from Beene, who otherwise had eight saves on the day.

For the second game in a row, San Jose was without team captain Brandi Chastain (strained quad) and scoring-leader Pretinha, who had season-ending ACL surgery last week. A healthy Boston team played with its full roster, except for backup goalkeeper Tracy Ducar, who is out with an injury.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 27, 2003


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