THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606090201
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 36 lines
The Hampton Roads Piranhas women's soccer team opened their second season Saturday night. It's still looking for its first win.
Sue Gaudette scored two second-half goals following a defensive adjustment by the Piranhas to give the Boston Renegades a 2-1 United States Women's Interregional Soccer League victory at Cox High.
``I thought since it was our first game, it was kind of what I expected,'' Piranhas coach Pat McStay said. ``We'll get better as we progress more. Boston already had a game under its belt and I think that showed. It wasn't unexpected.''
The Piranhas, who were 0-7 last season, had taken a 1-0 lead at 12:01 of the first half on Crystal Harper's goal.
But in the second half, Allison Ankerson moved to center midfield and four players were subbed into the lineup, rearranging the defense.
In the first half Ankerson had covered the sweeper slot, protecting keeper Kim Nagy from receiving shots on what appeared to be solid Boston attacks.
Boston capitalized on the changes quickly. Just 5:45 into the second half, Gaudette bounced the ball off the upper bar into the net.
At 23:25 of the half, Gaudette struck again, pushing the ball through defenders and cracking a shot that sailed just inside the right corner post.
``I think I made a mistake,'' McStay said of his defensive change. ``We were a little impatient. Although I wanted to get a look at all the players in the first game, I think I was a little impatient. I learned something tonight.''
The Renegades maintained the momentum until the closing minutes. With less than two minutes remaining, Lisa Echea hammered a shot, but Boston keeper Rachel Barbarossa made the save.
The Piranhas will be on the road for four games before returning home to play New Jersey on July 6. by CNB