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Spirit Defeats ASU, 4-1, in Final Preseason Match

March 29, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


TEMPE, Arizona - With seven days until the San Diego Spirit opens of the 2003 WUSA Season against the Boston Breakers on April 5 at Torero Stadium, the Spirit completed its preseason with a 4-1 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils as Shannon MacMillan scored twice and Aly Wagner and Christine Latham added a goal each.

"It was a good preparation game for us," said Spirit head coach Omid Namazi. "Arizona was strong and athletic and took us out of our game a bit in the first half. In the second half, we found some rhythm and got a few goals."

The game was scoreless until the 36th minute when Wagner broke the deadlock off a feed from Brazilian midfielder Daniela and finished from 12 yards out. Wagner also scored against the Atlanta Beat last Wednesday in a 2-1 exhibition loss.

The Spirit scored three more times in the second half as MacMillan slotted a shot past Sun Devil goalkeeper Hilary Wilson in the 57th minute off an assist by Canadian National Team forward Christine Latham. MacMillan returned the favor ten minutes later, crossing to Latham in the center of the penalty area for her to finish from eight yards out. MacMillan finished the scoring in the 82nd minute, running onto a through ball from Spirit captain Julie Foudy and slotting her shot home from 12 yards out.

The Sun Devils pulled a goal back two minutes later as ASU midfielder Haley van Blommestein's pass found the head of Brittany Cooper, who flicked a header over the outstretched arm of San Diego goalkeeper Jenni Branam. It was the only goal allowed to a college team by the Spirit in the preseason. San Diego out-shot ASU 24-6 for the game.

The goalkeepers for both sides came up with some magnificent saves late in the game. Arizona State's Wilson stopped point-blank attempts late from Latham and MacMillan while Branam stopped a breakaway attempt from ASU midfielder Manya Makoski.

"We are looking forward to getting Julie Fleeting and Zhang Ouying into camp and training with our whole team," said Namazi of his two internationals who will arrive this week after completing national team duty with Scotland and China, respectively. "We are anxious to get the season going, and get off to a good start, especially at home. I know we'll keep improving as the season goes on and I'm looking forward to watching the team come together."

Notes

- The Spirit will unveil their new 2003 uniforms during a Fashion Show at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on the USD campus on Sunday, March 30 at 7 p.m. The Pacific Beach Buffalo Exchange clothing will present the charity fashion show and silent auction featuring San Diego spirit players and local celebrities as runway models. Proceeds from the event will benefit TOP Soccer and Kate Sessions Elementary School, located in Pacific Beach. The Spirit's Spring Cleaning Sale will allow fans to purchase authentic team gear and apparel from previous seasons. Admission is $10.

- The Spirit's 2003 Media Day is Wednesday, April 2, at Torero Stadium at 1 p.m.

- The Spirit opens the regular season on Saturday, April 5, against the Boston Breakers at Torero Stadium. Kickoff is 6 p.m. PT.

- The WUSA Championship Game - Founders Cup III - is coming to Torero Stadium on August 24, 2003. Ticket information will be available in the coming weeks.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from March 29, 2003


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