THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 25, 1995 TAG: 9506250277
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Despite a 4-3 loss to the Long Island Lady Riders in Saturday's USISL women's soccer match, 300 spectators looked on as the Hampton Roads Piranhas made history at Cox High School.
The Piranhas, who joined the league just three weeks ago, hosted the state's first USISL women's game while notching a few firsts of their own.
Lisa Echea became the first player in the history of the new franchise to score when she took a pass from Kelley Martin and blasted a shot into the left corner of the net past keeper Melissa Galletta with 3:15 to go in the first half.
Echea's goal, which was the first of the season allowed by the Eastern Division-leading Lady Riders (4-0), tied the score, 1-1, after Jennifer Baumann's header got the best of Piranhas' keeper Sonya Huss at the 17th minute.
``It just felt good because we were playing together as a team,'' Echea said. ``I was excited. They've been playing together for a while.''
But early in the second half, the Piranhas (0-1) looked as though they had been as well.
Martin tapped in a pass from Brandy Wheeler at the 34th minute to give the Piranhas their first lead.
The Lady Riders tied the game, 2-2, with 20 minutes remaining when Shannon Sepe headed in a kick from Lousie DeCourtemanche. Then, with 13:03 left to play, Long Island regained the lead when Caitlin Connolly converted a mishandled rebound shot. Three minutes later, Diane McLoughlin put the Lady Riders up, 4-2, with a shot into the right corner of the net.
``My hands went buttery on me,'' said Huss, who notched 20 saves. ``I'm just mad at myself for that last goal. I looked up before I had my hands on the ball.''
But the Piranhas kept firing away and managed to come within one at with 2:27 remaining when Martin beat her defender after a pass from Echea.
``We had no idea what to expect,'' Long Island coach Peter Collins said. ``They gave us a very good game. But what's most impressive is the amount of community support they had, and that's what a team needs to be successful.''
Added Piranhas' coach Joanie Murphy: ``I was pleased with what I saw. We're still getting used to playing with each other. Once we get it together I think we're going to do real well.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
PAUL AIKEN/Staff
Piranhas defender Allison Ankerson, left, bands into Long Island's
Diane McLoughlin during their game at Cox High.
by CNB