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Awards Finalists Announced

August 14, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release


ATLANTA (Wednesday, August 14, 2002) - With four teams competing in the Women's United Soccer Association Playoff Semifinals on Saturday, league officials unveiled the finalists for the WUSA's annual end-of-season awards. The winners will be announced daily from August 20-22 (see attached schedule at the end of this news release). Listed alphabetically by last name, position and team are the three finalists for each of the respective 2002 WUSA year-end awards:

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

The Most Valuable Player Award will be awarded to the player judged to have had the greatest impact on her team's performance during the WUSA regular season.

Finalist s Team Pos. Note Marinette Pichon Philadelphia F French standout was second in the WUSA with 14 goals
Birgit Prinz Carolina F Tied for second in WUSA scoring (12g, 8a, 32 pts.) in just 14 games
Hege Riise Carolina F The creative playmaker's 13 assists tied for second in the WUSA

COACH OF THE YEAR

This is awarded to the WUSA head coach that has developed a team that has performed at exceptional levels and demonstrates an attractive and engaging style of play. The head coach must have had a winning record. Finalist s Team Note Jim Gabarra Washington After seventh place finish in 2001, guided team into WUSA Playoffs
Mark Krikorian Philadelphia Led Charge to an 11-4-6 record (39 pts) and a second place finish
Marcia McDermott Carolina Worst-to-first turnaround captured regular season title for Courage

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The Offensive Player of the Year exemplifies outstanding, exciting and timely goal production or goal creation. This player consistently demonstrates her attacking flair and abilities as a model for attacking play leaguewide. The player must have a high points total, but the award is not restricted to the leading scorer in the WUSA.

Finalist s Team Pos. Note Katia San Jose F WUSA scoring champion with 15 goals and five assists for 35 pts.
Marinette Pichon Philadelphia F Tied for fourth in overall WUSA scoring (14g, 1 a, 29 pts.)
Birgit Prinz Carolina F German star had a nine-game point streak in 2002

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The Defensive Player of the Year exemplifies an outstanding ability to defend the top attacking players in the WUSA. The player must play a position that is considered to have key defensive responsibilities (midfield or defender). Goalkeepers are not eligible.

Finalist s Team Pos. Note Erica Iverson Philadelphia D Started 19 games after playing in just four in 2001
Danielle Slaton Carolina D Number one overall pick in the 2002 WUSA Draft made an impact
Jen Tiejten Philadelphia D Steady central defender started 20 games

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR The Goalkeeper of the Year regularly exemplifies outstanding saves and consistently controls her penalty area and defensive zone. She repeatedly demonstrates the ability to come up with key saves during the game. Nominees were not restricted by statistics. Key saves in important games are a trademark of this goalkeeper, although, the team's success is not be an overvalued factor in this award.

Finalist s Team Pos. Note Kristin Luckenbill Carolina GK Dartmouth product led the WUSA with 114 saves
Melissa Moore Philadelphia GK Her 1.00 goals against average led the WUSA
Briana Scurry Atlanta GK World Cup veteran's 1.33 GAA was third in the WUSA

REFEREE OF THE YEAR

The Referee of the Year will be awarded to the referee judged to be the best overall official in the WUSA during the regular season.

Finalist s Note Ricardo Salazar Chicago area resident currently does dual duty in the middle for the WUSA and MLS
Kari Seitz San Mateo, CA resident refereed Women's World Cup '99 and currently in Canada for the Women's U-19 tournament
Misail Tsapos Dallas resident is in his first year in WUSA

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

The Rookie of the Year Award will be awarded to the player judged to be the best first-year player who has no prior playing experience at the professional level and/or has completed her college or high school eligibility within the last year.

Finalist s Team Pos. Note Danielle Slaton Carolina D She was the youngest member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team
Stacey Tullock Philadelphia M/D Did not make her debut until May 19 after college graduation
Abby Wambach Washington F Top rookie scorer tied for fourth in WUSA scoring (10g, 9a, 29 pts.)

HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR

The Humanitarian of the Year award recognizes the team member who demonstrates exemplary community involvement. The Humanitarian of the Year is the only award that does not recognize a player for her actions on the playing field, but for her ability to go above and beyond the call to contribute in her community.

Finalist s Team Pos. Note Jenny Benson Philadelphia D Works closely with individuals with Spina Bifida
Jaime Pagliarulo San Diego GK A board member of The Joy of Sports Foundation
Sissi San Jose M Has formed a special relationship with a cancer patient

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

The Executive of the Year Award will be awarded to the general manager or team front office member for their 2002 performance.

Finalists Team Note Kevin Crow. GM San Diego Served as Spirit general manager and head coach for most of 2002
Joe Cummings, GM Boston Breakers finished second in WUSA attendance in 2002
Tim Murphy, GM Philadelphia Second consecutive season in the playoffs for the Charge

TEAM COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

The WUSA team community service award is presented to the organization that clearly stands out for its dedication and activity within the club's local community.

Finalist s
Boston
Carolina
Washington

TEAM FAIR PLAY AWARD

The WUSA Fair Play award goes to the club with the fewest penalty points during the regular season. Disciplinary letters also factor into the final decision.

Finalist s
Boston
Carolina
Washington

GOAL OF THE YEAR

The Goal of the Year is an annual award given to the player whose goal is judged to be the best overall goal during the regular season. There are five Goal of the Year finalists. WUSA fans will select the winner by going to WUSA.com to pick the league's best goal of 2002.

Finalists Team Date Goal Bai Jie Washington Aug. 4 Headed in a corner kick from an impossible angle to beat Brian Scurry
Mia Hamm Washington Aug. 4 Blew past Atlanta defense and rifled a shot to the far post
Katia San Jose June 9 Took a pass out of the air and volleyed it from a bad angle vs. San Diego
Marinette Pichon Philadelphia Aug. 3 Scissor kick volley vs. San Diego
Nikki Serlenga Atlanta Aug. 10 Her 30-yard bomb beat Philadelphia 'keeper Melissa More in the upper left corner

In addition to the awards stated above, the WUSA will have an All-WUSA first and second team in 2002. On August 24 in Atlanta, the Founders Cup trophy will be awarded to the championship team and the Founders Cup Most Valuable Player presented by Hyundai will be given to the top player in the title game.

With the exception of the Goal of the Year, Executive of the Year and Team Fair Play award, the voting was conducted in the following three blocks:

1. Media panel 33 percent of the vote
2. WUSA players 33 percent of the vote
3. WUSA coaches and general managers 33 percent of the vote



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 14, 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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