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Atlanta Beat Weekly

May 13, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


The Beat came out firing on goal in the second half of the match versus the Power, scoring three goals in the frame, but it was not enough as New York came back to tie the game on a Krista Davey goal in stoppage time.

The Beat, down at halftime 1-0 used goals from Charmaine Hooper, Kylie Bivens and Sun Wen to take the lead 3-1 with only eight minutes left in regulation. In the 84th minute Tiffeny Milbrett capitalized on a defensive miscue to bring the Power within a goal. Then in the third minute of stoppage time, Briana Scurry misplayed a ball at the top of the penalty area and Davey lofted a shot over the defense and Scurry, into the open net. The referee blew the final whistle only thirty seconds later, with the game tied 3-3. The tie took the Beat's record to 1-3-1 with four points and the left the Beat in seventh place where they began the day.

The Beat smashed its 2002 team records to date notching 19 shots in the game with seven on goal. The previous high for the Beat was eight shots with six on goal. The Beat had only scored two goals in four matches prior to the game versus the Power.

Tom Stone Quotes on Match versus the Power: "We came out from the opening whistle with terrific energy and played fully committed to getting three points for the entire game. Even down at the half, we felt very good about the way we had controlled play and that we'd get back into the game."

"Parlow and Hooper were wonderful. They really set the tone for the entire team."

"Obviously, after our 3 goal outburst, the game should have been over but credit NY for not giving up. When we made 2 crucial errors in the last five minutes, they made us pay dearly. This will be remembered as one that definitely got away."

"I told the team afterwards that I was proud of their effort amidst all those who have been criticizing us for our slow start and that if they play with that kind of passion week to week that we will have a great season. There is a lot of soccer yet to be played and our only choice is to get back to work on Tuesday and prepare for success against San Jose."

Preview Week 6
Atlanta Beat (1-3-1, 4 pts) vs. San Jose CyberRays (2-2-1, 7 pts)
Saturday, May 18, 4:00 p.m.
National Broadcast: PAX-TV
All-time Regular Season Series record (Atlanta Beat 2-0-1)
Playoffs (0-0-1) CyberRays defeat Beat 4-2 in penalty kicks in WUSA Championship
Top Beat scorers in regular season series: Charmaine Hooper (4G, 1A, 9 pts), Cindy Parlow (0G, 3A, 3 pts)
Key Players Out: None

The Beat and CyberRays meet for the first time in 2002 on Saturday, May 18 in a rematch of the dramatic 2001 Founders Cup. It is the first time these two teams have stepped on the field together since the August 25, 2001 championship game, decided in penalty kicks with the CyberRays prevailing 4-2. The match was the culmination of the Inaugural WUSA season and was arguably the most exciting game of the year. For 105 minutes the teams battled, each scoring three goals in regulation and none in overtime. Kylie Bivens scored the Beat's first goal of the game to even the score 1-1 after Brandi Chastain scored for the CyberRays. Charmaine Hooper gave the Beat its first lead of the game notching a breakaway goal on assists from Briana Scurry and Cindy Parlow. The CyberRays tied the game before the end of the first half on a goal from Julie Murray. In the second half Sun Wen scored an incredible individual effort to give the Beat a 3-2 lead with only seven minutes remaining. Only four minutes later Tisha Venturini scored the tying goal and sent the game into overtime. The game proceeded into overtime with two seven and a half minute halves and neither team could score. With penalty kicks the only way to decide the game, San Jose notched four to the Beat's two to take home the Inaugural WUSA championship. Julie Murray was named the games most valuable player as she scored on goal in regulation and the winning penalty kick in the shootout.

The Beat dominated the regular season series in 2001 defeating San Jose two out of three times and tying the other meeting. The Beat defeated San Jose 1-0 in the first meeting in May 27 in San Jose, with Charmaine Hooper notching the only goal in the match. The teams tied their second meeting on July 19, in Atlanta 1-1 with Kelly Cagle scoring the Beat's only goal in the match. In the final meeting of the regular season Hooper made history, as she became only the third player to record a hat trick in WUSA history. Kerry Gragg scored an additional goal for the Beat as the team rolled to a 4-0 victory on August 8 in Atlanta.

Key matchup: Beat goalkeeper Briana Scurry versus CyberRays goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene. In 2001 Beene edged out Scurry for the league's Most Valuable Goalkeeper although Scurry had the best goals against average and winning percentage in the WUSA and lead the Beat to the regular season championship. Scurry recorded seven shut outs in 2001 and has one so far in 2002. Scurry and Beene are considered by many to be the two best keepers in the women's game and both will be in contention to play for the U.S. Women's National Team in the 2003 Women's World Cup.

Quote from Tom on Match versus the San Jose CyberRays:

"San Jose is one of the most dangerous teams because they can turn up the heat in the blink of an eye. The most experienced team in the league I think with Brandi, Sissi, Pretinha, Katia, and Tisha. They can appear dormant for a stretch and then BOOM the Brazilian triangle lights up and puts you on your heels."

"That said, we've done well in the series. (2 wins, 2 ties) There is also that special element that we were the first two to play in a WUSA Championship game so we expect a very entertaining and competitive match."

Injury update:
Nancy Augustyniak, Probable, (R knee patellar tendonitis)
Cindy Parlow, Probable (R ankle contusion)
Sun Wen, Probable (L adductor strain)

Atlanta Beat Training Schedule:
Tuesday, May 14 -- 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Location (TBD)
Wednesday, May 15 -- 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Rose Bowl Field
Thursday, May 16 -- 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Rose Bowl Field

Atlanta Beat Notes:

Nancy Augustyniak Returns to Action

After sitting out most of preseason and the Beat's first two games while suffering from patellar tendonitis in her right knee, Nancy Augustyniak started and played the entire 90 minutes versus the New York Power on May 11. Nancy missed the Beat's first two games and played sparingly in the two games prior to the match versus New York.

Don't Even Think About Leaving Early

All five of the Beat's goals this year has come in the second half of action. Conversely, 66% of all goals scored on the Beat have come in the second half.

Offensive Power Output

In Saturday's tie against the New York Power the Beat put up offensive numbers unlike any of the previous games in 2002. Saturday night's offensive output accounts for 60% of its goals and 38% of its shots for the 2002 season, through 5 games.

Beat's Shots Hit the Target

So far in 2002 60% of the Beat's shots have been on goal. The Beat has taken 50 shots with 30 hitting the target. The Beat's shots on goal percentage is the best in the WUSA ahead of San Jose at 56% and San Diego and Philadelphia each at 54%.

Bivens a Bright Spot for the Beat

Kylie Bivens started the match in the midfield for the Beat versus the Power. Bivens had been playing right marking back for the Beat in the previous games this season and also played on the defensive back line for the U.S. Women's National Team versus Finland. Bivens made an immediate impact in the Beat's offense as she won balls in the midfield and distributed up to the attacking players. She also notched the Beat's second goal in the game versus New York. The Beat is 5-1-2 all time in the regular season when Bivens notches a point.

Kelly Cagle Featured in Jezebel Magazine's May Issue

Jezebel Magazine, a trendy upscale magazine, features Atlanta Beat forward Kelly Cagle in a two page spread on the lifestyle of an athlete. Cagle was asked to pull her ten favorite items of clothing and describe what each means to her. Among her favorite items of clothing is her Atlanta Beat jersey, a suede cowgirl jacket that reminds her of growing up in Arizona, a Duke jacket (her alma mater), and a pair of black pin stripe pants, which she says are her "off-the-field uniform pants."

Sharolta Nonen to be Featured in Ebony Magazine's Super Singles Issue

The July issue of Ebony magazine will feature none other than Beat defender Sharolta Nonen as one of America's Super Singles. Nonen, one of the fastest and most graceful defenders in the league, tells all about what she looks for in a person and what her ideal date would be. Other celebrities confirmed to appear in the issue with Nonen are gold medal winning gymnast Dominique Dawes, Lisa Harrison of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and Stephanie Ready assistant coach of the NBDL's Greenville Groove.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from May 13, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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