Beat Cruises to Second Straight Win, Dominguez Named Player of the Week

April 14, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


ATLANTA (April 14, 2003) - The Beat heads into an off week, riding a lopsided two-game winning streak to open the 2003 season. The winning streak has seen the Beat outscore two opponents 11-0 combined. Maribel Dominguez notched four of the Beat's 11 goals in two games, including a hat trick versus the Breakers on Saturday, April 12. Dominguez leads the WUSA in scoring through two weeks, with four goals and two assists for 10 points, and she's a rookie.

Beat's Dominguez Named MET-Rx Player of the Week

For her three goal, seven point performance in Week 2, Maribel Dominguez was voted the MET-Rx Player of the Week. Dominguez helped lead the Beat to a 6-0 win over the Boston Breakers last Saturday. Dominguez scored three spectacular goals, the first on a blistering free kick from 24 yards out, the second on a free kick from a similar spot that snuck through the Breakers wall and by goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, and the third on a great solo effort, blasting a left-footed shot past LeBlanc from 14 yards out. Dominguez recorded an assist on the final goal of the game, scored by fellow rookie Abby Crumpton.

On the injured list or would rather not show up your peers? Don't worry, we'll also need some judges and referees to officiate the activities. Following the Beat Media Challenge join us in the Kick-Back Zone (just off the North touchline) for food and cold beverages.

Feel free to pass this along to any of your colleagues within your organization. You can direct any questions to Lee Kallman or Stephen Rodriguez at the Beat's Communication Department.

Beat vs. Breakers Recap

The Beat continued its hot start to the 2003 season, with a 6-0 win over the Boston Breakers. Rookie forward Maribel Dominguez notched her first ever WUSA hat trick, and is among only five players to record a hat trick and is the second Beat player. Charmaine Hooper scored three goals versus the CyberRays in the closing game of the 2001 regular season.

Dominguez's three goals were spectacular, two coming on direct free kicks and the other on an individual effort, winning the ball in the Breakers' defensive third and dribbling by two defenders before smacking home a left-footed shot. Midfielder Homare Sawa scored two goals and rookie forward Abby Crumpton scored her second goal of the season.

Beat goalkeeper Briana Scurry faced only two shots on goal and recorded her all-time WUSA best 15th shutout. The Beat's 11 goals in two games marked a WUSA record for most goals scored by a single team in consecutive games. In 2001 it took the Beat 10 games to score 11 goals and in 2002 the Beat scored its 11th goal in the 9th game of the season.

Tom Stone quotes on the Beat's win over Boston: "Scoring six goals is nice, but the story behind the story was our back line. Our defense really saved us in the first 30 minutes of the game. No one wants to talk about defense when you score six goals, but that's what wins championships."

"Scoring is good. It always has been, always will. Gotta have it."

Atlanta Beat Training Schedule (April 15 -18, 2003):
Tuesday - Rose Bowl Field, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Wednesday - Rose Bowl Field, 10 - 11:45 a.m.
Thursday - Rose Bowl Field, 10 - 11:45 a.m.
Friday - Training match versus UNC; 12 p.m.
Herndon Stadium

Times are subject to change. Practice is open to the media and for those wishing to attend practice or wishing to set up individual interviews, please contact Lee Kallman at 404-269-7357 or Stephen Rodriguez at 404-441-3030.

Injury Report
Conny Pohlers - probable (left knee contusion)
Ifeoma Dieke - probable (right hamstring strain)

Additional Beat Notes

Beat Rookies Making their Mark

Only one of the Beat's 2002 draft selections (Anna Kraus) made the active roster last season, but did not see any playing time for Atlanta. One of the Beat's Chinese internationals, Liping Wang was a new member to the Beat squad in 2002, but saw limited playing time throughout the 2002 season. Through two games this season, the Beat rookies are making their presence felt. Leslie Gaston started the Beat's first game at left marking back and helped lead the team to a shutout. Abby Crumpton has come off the bench to score two goals and Katie Antongiovanni filled in well in the center midfield in the Beat's opening game.

Rookie Maribel Dominguez has made her WUSA debut in grand fashion, scoring four goals and two assists through two games. Rookie Ifeoma Dieke saw her first action of the season versus the Breakers. She played 45 minutes at the defensive central midfield position. German forward Conny Pohlers also saw her first playing time of 2003, logging 35 minutes in the Beat win.

This season Beat rookies have logged a total of 434 minutes and have added six goals and three assists for 15 points. In 2002, two Beat newcomers Liping Wang and Anne Remy, combined for a total of 836 minutes and four points. All four points came from Liping Wang off one goal and two assists.

Goalkeeper Briana Scurry Gets Another Shutout

Beat goalkeeper Briana Scurry is letting everyone in the WUSA know early on that she's making 2003 her year. The Beat and U.S. Women's National Team number one goalkeeper, recorded her 20th all-time regular season win and her 15th shutout, in Saturday's win over Boston. Scurry led the WUSA in 2002 with six shutouts and is the WUSA's all-time leader with 15.

Beat Tallies Another Record Day

The Atlanta Beat had two record weeks in a row. In the Beat's opening game, the team recorded its highest ever goal total, and improved that mark by one, defeating Boston 6-0. The Beat set a WUSA record of largest margin of victory and Maribel Dominguez tied a mark for most points in a single game with seven, off three goals and one assist.

Century Milestones in Reach

The Atlanta Beat can reach two important milestones this season, welcoming its 100,000th home fan and scoring its 100th goal. With just under 7,000 fans to the Beat's next home match on May 3, the Atlanta Beat would welcome in its 100,000th home fan.

At the scoring pace the Beat is on now, the team's 100th goal could come, on May 17th versus the San Jose CyberRays, but most likely will come early in the second half of the season. To date the Beat has scored 83 goals in team history, 37 in 2001, 35 in 2002 and 11 so far in 2003 (includes playoff goals).



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from April 14, 2003


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