Saturday, July 05, 2003

N.Y. 2, San Jose 1 (WUSA Soccer)

New York scored both of their goals on corner kicks, and spent a lot of time back on defense. On the second goal, it looked like San Jose keeper Beene made a mistake. Rather than waiting for the ball, she tried to power her way through one of the New York forwards. Even if this move had succeeded it might have been called as a foul, but instead Beene collided with the other player and fell down; meanwhile another New York forward headed the ball into the top of the goal. It was one of the few mistakes by Beene in an otherwise well-played game.

San Jose's Keri Sanchez played a terrific attacking game, generating many close chances but no goals. Late in the second half with New York leading 2-0, Sanchez broke into the penalty area and fired a shot from close range. The ball beat New York keeper Webber, but defender Raveia blocked the ball with her hand. Not only was this a handball in the penalty area, but it prevented a sure goal. It should have resulted in a penalty kick for San Jose and a yellow card for Raveia, but the referee did not see it, and play continued.

Later, Sanchez crossed the ball to Tisha Venturini-Hoch, who scored San Jose's only goal. But if the handball had been called earlier, it could have resulted in a 2-2 tie.

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