Spirit Defeats Freedom, 2-1, in Front of Record Crowd

Published on July 17, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Spirit picked up a huge win at home tonight, getting two first-half goals from strikers Christine Latham and Julie Fleeting and then held on for a 2-1 win over the Washington Freedom. The Spirit moved to 6-4-6 (24 points) on the season while the Freedom dropped to 6-6-3 (21 points).

Washington produced more shots on the night, 15-10, but most were from distance and did not trouble rookie goalkeeper Jenni Branam, who played a stellar match while making six saves and eight catch/punches. Both teams had good rhythm in the match, especially the Freedom, who pinged the ball around the midfield all night, but struggled to get behind the Spirit defense.

The Spirit scored in the 23rd minute as Branam launched a prodigious goal kick that was flicked on by Fleeting over the Freedom defense. Latham ran onto the ball hit a perfectly timed world-class half volley that soared over Freedom goalkeeper Siri Mullinix, off the underside of the crossbar and into the net to the delight of the Torero Stadium record crowd of 6,733. It was Latham's fifth goal of the season and fourth goal in the past four games.

The Spirit added another goal in the 35th minute as Brazilian Daniela looped a cross in from the right side. Mullinix came out to punch the ball, but was jostled by Latham and the ball bounced off her fists and up in the air to Fleeting, who headed it back towards the goal, off Mullinix's shoulder and into the left corner past two scrambling Freedom defenders. It was Fleeting's team leading eighth goal of the season.

Freedom superstar Mia Hamm did not start, but came on in the 33rd minute and was a threat running at the Spirit defense for the rest of the match, but was limited to two shots on the night, one from a set play.

Washington had an 11-4 shot advantage in the second half as the Spirit went to a four-back alignment and dropped Latham into the midfield, leaving Fleeting alone up top. Both teams had chances - Mia Hamm and Aly Wagner traded free kicks that flew over the goal - and the Freedom pulled a goal back in the 78th minute on a spectacular shot. German Sandra Minnert ran onto a poor Spirit clearance and ripped a first-time half volley from 30 yards out that was deflected and flew past Branam into the lower right corner.

Substitute Allie Sullivan added some spark at the end of the game after coming on in the 77th minute for Zhang Ouying, who played a quality game in the midfield with Julie Foudy and Wagner, both of whom worked extremely hard for 90 minutes.

The Freedom, who have won just one out of their last eight games, had two great chances to tie the game at the end, both from substitute Meredith Beard. On both, she took a throw in from the sideline and cut int towards the goal. Branam flew to push the first one over the top with a spectacular save in the 89th minute and then made a solid hold on the second one just a minute later to preserve the win.

Kim Pickup left the match in the 40th minute after she had trouble breathing and was replaced by Ronnie Fair, who went the rest of the way. The Spirit hit the road next weekend, facing the Carolina Courage on Saturday at 4 p.m. live on Channel 4 San Diego.

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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 17, 2003


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