(July 29, 2002)

San Jose's Katia Named WUSA Player Of The Week

ATLANTA GA (July 29, 2002) San Jose forward Katia has been selected as the WUSA's Player of the Week for the week ending July 29, 2002. The Brazilian striker's weekend saw her score two goals and an assist in the CyberRays' 4-1 win over New York at Spartan Stadium Saturday evening. It was her fourth two-goal game of the season and her fifth two-goal game of her WUSA career.

Katia made it 2-0 in the 34th minute when she scored for the fourth consecutive match. Christina Bell sent a long ball to Katia as the Brazilian was running down the left flank toward the corner. New York goalkeeper Saskia Webber attempted to come out of her box, but the ball took one bounce and Katia poked it into the net from five yards.

In the 82nd minute, Katia put the game away when she one-touched a long ball from Theresa Wagner in from 12 yards. Less than a minute later, Katia teamed with Pretihna, slotting a pass to the diminutive forward for a goal from 12 yards to cap off the scoring.

This is the third time Katia has won the weekly honor in 2002. Her first was in week nine for her play against San Diego and her second was just two weeks ago in week 14 when she led the CyberRays to a 1-0-1 week. She is the only three-time winner of the player of the week award in 2002.

With her recent scoring surge, Katia now leads the WUSA in both total points (30) and goals scored (14).

Katia captured 27 points in the voting (10 first place, 7 second place) to outdistance Washington's Siri Mullinix (17 pts.), Atlanta's Charmaine Hooper (13 pts.), Washington's Abby Wambach (2 pts.) and Boston's Kristine Lilly (1 pt.), The WUSA's Player of the Week is selected every Monday throughout the regular season by a panel of journalists from the Professional Soccer Reporters Association.

[Source: Dan Courtemanche - (678) 645-0757, www.WUSA.com, Paul Dodson - (678) 645-0764, WUSA Communications]