Spirit 1, Courage 0

SAN DIEGO (AP) Julie Fleeting scored her 10th goal of the season in the 32nd minute, and rookie Jenni Branam recorded her first career shutout to help lead the San Diego Spirit past the Carolina Courage 1-0 on Sunday.

The Spirit (7-6-7) have 28 points in the standings and solidified their hold on the final WUSA playoff berth. They could clinch a playoff spot for the first time with a win over Washington in its final game Saturday.

Fleeting scored on a bouncing header past goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill to put the Spirit up 1-0.

The Courage (7-9-3) had an apparent goal nullified in the 38th minute because of an offside call. Spirit goalkeeper Jenni Branam blocked a shot by Unni Lehn into the crossbar and the ball spun into the nets, but Birgit Prinz was deemed offside as she charged into the goal.

Branam made four saves for the shutout in her ninth career start.

Fleeting returned after missing a 2-0 loss at Washington on July 26 due to a concussion suffered in the previous game. She nearly scored in the stoppage time during the 91st minute, but her shot bounced off the right goal post.

The Spirit, which matched its most wins in a season, extended its home unbeaten streak to five games and ended a three-game winless streak.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)