Spirit Suffer Dis-Courage-ing Loss

April 16, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


The San Diego Spirit opened their second WUSA season with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the visiting Carolina Courage. An own-goal in the 87th minute off the shin of Spirit defender Joy Fawcett sealed the Spirit's fate. The Spirit's two-match homestand continues Saturday as WUSA leading scorer and 2001 MVP Tiffeny Milbrett and the New York Power come to Torero Stadium for their only San Diego appearance on Spirit T-Shirt Day, kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. PT.

QUICK GLANCE

RECORD: 0-1-0, 0 points,

LAST MATCH: 2-1 loss to Carolina on April 13, 2002

LEADING SCORER: Zhang Ouying, 1 goal, 0 assists, 2 points

INJURY REPORT: Koleski, Sprained Right Knee

NEXT ON THE SLATE: Vs. New York Power, 4/20, 1:00 p.m. PT at Torero Stadium - The Spirit face another team that they failed to beat in the inaugural season, as WUSA leading scorer and MVP Tiffeny Milbrett leads the New York Power into San Diego on Saturday, April 20 at 1:00 p.m. PT for the PAX TV National Game of the Week. San Diego was 0-1-2 against New York in 2001. The Spirit defense did not allow Milbrett to score a goal in two matches. Promotion: Spirit T-Shirt Day, the first 2,000 fans receive a free Spirit T-Shirt.

Juarez on the Power

"After New York's first win of the season, and with Milbrett scoring two goals, they got a great start to the season. Milbrett is always dangerous. She may not score for a couple of games and then explode for two or three. Obviously, she's in form right away and she's going to cause us problems."

SPIRIT NEWS:

ARK TECHNOLOGIES' POWER STATS MAKES THEIR DEBUT

On Saturday evening, the San Diego Spirit in conjunction with Ark Technologies unveiled a new a form of soccer statistics, Power Stats, which should have soccer fans buzzing. Designed by Chula Vista, Calif. resident Carl Hammond, the Ark Technologies Power Stats track 18 different statistical categories to compile a game performance player rating. The San Diego Union-Tribune will be publishing the Power Rating agate in their game report the following day's edition. Fans will also be able to see in-depth Power Stats charts and information at the club's website, sandiegospirit.com. Power Stats will be available about three hours after a match on the website. In addition to tracking player performances, the Power Stats will allow fans to discuss and even disagree with the ratings, but most importantly inciting discussion.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

Saturday's opening day starting lineup changed dramatically from the starting 11 in 2001. Five different players were in the 2002 starting lineup including goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo, defenders Joy Fawcett and Margaret Tietjen, and forwards Mercy Akide and Zhang Ouying. 2001 opening day starters gone from the team are goalkeeper Ulrika Karlsson, defender Kristin Bengtsson and forward Traci Arkenberg. Defender Kim Pickup and midfielder Sherrill Kester are still with the club in 2002, after starting the inaugural match.

XTRA SPORTS 690 PICKS UP THE MAC & CHEESE SHOW

The popular Mac & Cheese Show returns to radio, but on a new home for the 2002 season. Shannon MacMillan (Mac) and Kim Pickup (Cheese) can be heard on Southern California's sports radio XTRA Sports 690 every Friday night at 9:00 p.m. with the John "The Coach" Kentera. Last year, the show was on twice a week for a half-hour every Monday and Friday on KFMB, but the station decided to move away from the sports format in the evening. After some hard work the duo is back on the airwaves. Fans of the show outside of San Diego can listen over the Internet at xtrasports690.com. Last year, fans from 13 different states listened on an 800 number to the show.

SAN DIEGO ICONS MAKE AN APPEARANCE AT TORERO STADIUM

San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy and San Diego Charger linebacker Junior Seau were in attendance to Saturday's opener. Murphy received an official team jersey, while Seau conducted the coin toss.

THREE DOT INFO:

The Spirit's 6-game unbeaten streak (3-0-3) ended on Saturday. The club's last loss was to the Courage on 7/15/01... San Diego is now 0-2 in season openers and 0-2 in home openers, losing last year to Philadelphia 2-0 and Carolina 2-1 this year, both at Torero Stadium...San Diego is now 0-3-1 against Carolina and 7-5-6 versus the rest of the league...Danielle Fotopoulos has scored four goals against the Spirit, the most by any player in the WUSA...Three players made their professional debuts with the Spirit...Forward and U.S. Bobsledder Shauna Rohbock entered the match in the 61st minute...Midfielder Lori Lindsey played 25 minutes and defender Amy Sauer received 22 minutes of playing time...Also making her Spirit debut was starter Zhang Ouying.

CALENDARS: MEDIA WATCH

4/19- SETS 102.5 - Spirit Report with Tara Koleski, 9:00 a.m.

4/19- XTRA Sports 690 - Mac & Cheese Show with John Kentera, 9:00 p.m.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

4/20- MATCH vs. NEW YORK, 1:00 p.m. PT, Torero Stadium, Live on PAX TV

TRAINING

4/16- Training, 10:30-12:30, Allen Field

4/17- Training, 9:30-11:30, Allen Field

4/18- Training, 10:30-12:30, Allen Field

4/19- Training, 3:00 p.m., Torero Stadium

All times and locations are subject to change

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

BOSTON IS FIRST ROAD OPPONENT

After the Spirit face the New York Power at Torero Stadium on April 20, they will travel to Boston for their first road trip of the season to meet the Breakers. The match kicks off Saturday, April 27, 4:00 p.m. PT from Nickerson Field, telecast at 7:00 p.m. PT tape delayed on Channel 4 San Diego. The following Sunday, Mia Hamm and the Washington Freedom come to Torero Stadium for their only San Diego appearance in 2002.

QUOTE SHEET

Carlos Juarez on Saturday's loss to Carolina...

"I felt we played well last Saturday, we just had a couple unfortunate incidents that cost us the game, but we feel good about the way we are playing and we just have to do everything possible against New York to make sure we improve on our opening game performance."

Julie Foudy addressing the crowd after the Saturday's match...

"We said that we were going to score more goals this year, look we did, we scored three today."

THIS WEEK IN SPIRIT HISTORY:

SPIRIT PREPARES FOR SEASON OPENER, FOUNDING PLAYERS MEET IN D.C.

In 2001, the Spirit was preparing for their April 22 season opener against the Philadelphia Charge. However, Spirit players Julie Foudy and Shannon MacMillan joined other founding players in Washington, D.C. for the inaugural WUSA match between Bay Area and Washington, won by the CyberRays,1-0.

PERSONALITY PLUS:

SHELLEY FINGER: FOUR RINGS ON THAT FINGER

Reserve goalkeeper Shelley Finger is one of a select few WUSA players to have won four NCAA championships. Joining Finger are Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturi-Hoch. Finger is also a part-time emergency veterinarian at a local Escondido Pet Hospital.

STAT OF THE WEEK

The Spirit's last own-goal happened on June 21, 2001 against the Washington Freedom at RFK Stadium. Defender Fan Yunjie had a shot bounce off her into the Spirit's goal, it was the only own-goal San Diego gave up last season.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from April 16, 2002


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