Spirit Ties Charge, 1-1, in Philadelphia

July 5, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


PHILADELPHIA - The San Diego Spirit lost a golden chance to move into sole possession of first place, giving up a goal in the second minute of stoppage time, but still managed its second straight tie on the road, drawing, 1-1, with the Charge. The Spirit had taken the lead in the 80th minute as Christine Latham scored her fourth goal of the season, and third in two games, but Stacey Tullock tied the match just before the final whistle. The Spirit moved to 5-3-6 (21 points) on the season while the Charge moved to 3-6-4 (13 points). The Spirit's goal came after a corner kick was cleared by the Charge defense.. Second half substitute Allie Sullivan hit a cross from the left wing to Joy Fawcett, who was at the six-yard line. The Spirit defender chested the ball down to Christine Latham, who struck her shot well into the right corner from six yards out.

With the Spirit seemingly headed for the win and first place in the WUSA for the first time in club history, Tullock tied the match in the 92nd minute, sliding to finish a ball from six yards out that was knocked down by Trina Maso de Moya after Rachel Kruze sent a long ball into the penalty area. In a cruel twist of irony, it was the Spirit who scored in the 90th minute last Wednesday to earn a 2-2 tie at the San Jose. The tie extended the Spirit's unbeaten streak to four games.

In the back and forth match, the Charge had a few more chances, out-shooting the Spirit 14-11, but San Diego managed to keep the WUSA's leading scorer, Marinette Pichon, off the board. But just barley. Midway through the first half, Spirit goalkeeper Pagliarulo miss-cleared a ball and it went right to Pichon just inside the penalty area on the left side, but her first time shot went wide right.

The Spirit had a similar chance in the first half as Charge goalkeeper Melissa Moore played a pass right to Spirit forward Julie Fleeting. She crossed to top of penalty area for Aly Wagner, but she drove her shot right at Moore.

In the second half, Pagliarulo was called for a handball just outside the penalty area, but Anne Makinen's dangerous looking free kick hit the defensive wall. The Charge almost took the lead in the 70th minute as Jen Tietjen-Prozzo hit the crossbar from 12 yards out after running onto a Jenny Benson corner kick.

Sullivan had a chance to clinch the match in the 90th minute, but couldn't convert her breakaway opportunity as she tried to slide her shot past Moore, instead hitting the ball right into the Charge goalkeeper's arms.

Ironically, the Charge tied the game after Pichon was carried off on a stretcher following a heavy collision with Pagliarulo in the 91st minute. One minute later, Tullock tallied, and seconds later, the match ended. The Spirit is now 2-1-4 on the road, and plays at first-place Atlanta on Wednesday night.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 5, 2003


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