Spirit Hold off CyberRays
July 14, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
SAN DIEGO, CA - The San Diego Spirit held off the San Jose CyberRays as the two clubs played to a 2-2 draw Sunday evening at Torero Stadium. Following midfielder Shannon Boxx's ejection in the 69th minute, San Diego (3-8-4, 13 pts.) competed with 10 players for the final 21 minutes. With the draw, San Jose (6-5-4, 22 pts.) moved into a three-way tie with Atlanta and Washington for third place in the WUSA.
San Jose opened the scoring in the 5th minute when Pretihna got behind the San Diego defense to run onto a pass from Kim Clark. The Brazilian forward broke away, touched the ball past Spirit goalkeeper Carly Smolak, and slotted the ball into the goal.
San Diego stormed back just two minutes later when Shannon MacMillan hammered a 35-yard freekick to even the score at one apiece. MacMillan, who possesses quite possibly the hardest shot in the WUSA, hit a swerving ball into the upper left corner past a diving LaKeysia Beene for her fifth goal of the season.
The Spirit went up 2-1 in the 59th minute when Scottish newcomer Julie Fleeting scored her first WUSA goal. Fleeting, who was playing in her second game with the Spirit, capitalized on an opportunistic cross from MacMillan to crack a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that hit the underside of the crossbar before landing in the back of the net.
The game changed in the 69th minute when Smolak came off her line with San Jose's Katia dribbling the ball on the right side. With Smolak scrambling, Katia slotted the ball through to Sissi, whose shot on goal was stopped on the goal line by the arm of San Diego's Shannon Boxx. Boxx was sent off and Katia converted on the ensuing penalty kick.
San Diego bunkered down for the final 21 minutes, as the CyberRays outshot the Spirit 8-1 from the 69th minute until the end of the match.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 14, 2002
- Spirit Ties CyberRays, 2-2, as MacMillan and Fleeting Score - San Diego Spirit
- Spirit Hold off CyberRays - WUSA
- Charge Tie Freedom - WUSA
- Charge Salvage Point Versus Freedom - Philadelphia Charge
- Courage Sneak by Breakers - WUSA
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