Sports stats



Beat Downs Power 5-0 in Home Opener

April 5, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


ATLANTA - The Atlanta Beat recorded an all-time team best, with five goals in a 5-0 win over the New York Power on Saturday night. Kylie Bivens, Maribel Dominguez, Charmaine Hooper and Abby Crumpton notched goals for Atlanta, while the other was credited as an own goal scored by a Power defender.

The Beat scored the first goal in the 18th minute when rookie defender Leslie Gaston, sent a pass high into the center of the box. Bivens headed the ball on goal, while Cindy Parlow ran interference in front of the net. The ball went by Parlow and past the outstretched hands of Power goalkeeper Carly Smolak.

The second Beat goal came five minutes later, when Parlow sent a low shot past Smolak towards the left post. Power defender Lindsey Jones slid towards the ball and redirected it into the top right corner of the goal.

The Power's best first half chance from Emily Janss, who was open on the right side of the penalty box. Janss hit a shot past Scurry and towards the left post, but the ball rolled just wide.

In the previous two seasons the Beat had not scored a goal on opening day, tying the Power 0-0 in 2001 and losing to the Charge 2-0 in 2002.

The Beat scored the third goal of the game in the 48th minute when rookie Maribel Dominguez followed a Hooper shot that hit the crossbar and put the ball past Smolak for her first WUSA goal. Hooper scored the next Beat goal in the 80th minute. Hooper collected a loose ball in the penalty box and put it past Smolak into the left corner.

The Power nearly got a goal in the 61st minute when Milbrett hit a bending free kick over the wall that hit the left post and bounded out.

Forward Abby Crumpton got her first WUSA goal and the final goal of the game in the 84th minute. Dominguez settled the ball in midfield and played Bivens down the right side. Bivens crossed the ball into the penalty box and Crumpton crashed in towards goal and put the ball past Smolak.

The Beat got its first ever win on opening day and goalkeeper Briana Scurry recorded her all-time WUSA best 14th shutout.

• Discuss this story on the Women's United Soccer Association message board...

Women's United Soccer Association Stories from April 5, 2003


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.

OurSports Central