San Jose CyberRays

The San Jose CyberRays are the historic Champions of the inaugural WUSA season. The CyberRays defeated the Atlanta Beat on penalty kicks to take the title August 25th at Foxboro Stadium.

The CyberRays, who finished the regular season tied with Atlanta in points but second in head-to-head competition, earned the title shot by beating the New York Power 3-2 in the August 18th semifinal.

	2001 BAY AREA CYBERRAYS POINTS LEADERS PLAYER POS G A PTS 1 Julie Murray F 9 1 19 2 Katia F 7 1 15 3 Sissi M 1 10 12 4 Tisha Venturini M 3 3 9 Brandi Chastain M-D 2 5 9 6 Christina Bell D-M 2 4 8 7 Jacqui Little F 1 2 4 8 Kim Clark F-M 1 1 3 9 Carey Dorn M-D 0 1 1 Gina Oceguera D-F 0 1 1 Theresa Wagner M 0 1 1

Given its experience and depth, San Jose's finish was not surprising. Eight CyberRays have World Cup experience, five have appeared in the Olympic Games and 12 have been internationally capped.

The most famous of them all -- defender Brandi Chastain -- burst into the public's consciousness when she scored the most famous goal in American soccer history -- the game-winning penalty kick against China in the 1999 World Cup final at the Rose Bowl.

Up front the CyberRays offer international offensive flair with Sissi's national teammate, Katia, and Julie Murray, captain of the Australian national team. Added to the forward ranks is a group of talented American ex-collegians, each with strong West Coast connections: Jacqui Little (Santa Clara), Megan Horvath (Santa Clara) and Kim Clark (Southern Cal).

Team Information Address: 1991 Park Ave San Jose, CA 95126 Home Venue: Spartan Stadium at San Jose State University, 26,000 capacity Telephone: (408) 535-0980 Fax: Owner/Investor: Amos Hostetter/John Hendricks General Manager: Marlene Bjornsrud Head Coach: Ian Sawyers Official Web Site: www.sjcyberrays.com

The CyberRays had two big improvements. The first was LaKeysia Beene in goal. Beene played confidently and showed why she was a starting goalkeeper with the USA Under 21 team.

The second big improvement was that Katia and Australian national Murray started to stick the ball into the back of the net.

San Jose also won because Sissi was impossible to get off the ball, Chastain was a natural leader who played wherever she was needed, and Tisha Venturini continued to score timely goals.