Beat Falls to Courage 1-0

Published on May 4, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


Cary, NC (May 4, 2002) - The Atlanta Beat dropped its third game of the season this afternoon in a 1-0 loss to the Carolina Courage at SAS Soccer Stadium in Cary, NC. Courage midfielder Tiffany Roberts headed in the game's only goal in the 72nd minute off a Hege Riise cross. The Beat's record falls to 1-3-0 and 3 points, while the Courage remains undefeated and grabs first place in the WUSA with a 3-0-0 record and 9 points.

The Beat opened its 2002 regular season series versus the Courage on a rainy day at SAS Stadium, the new home of the Carolina Courage, without 2001 leading scorers Charmaine Hooper and Cindy Parlow in the starting lineup. Hooper, last weekend's hero, was not in the starting lineup due to an injured medial collateral ligament in her left knee. Parlow was out of the starting lineup due to an injured right ankle.

Each team had one good scoring opportunity in the first half. The Courage had its best opportunity in the 3rd minute when forward Kim Yankowski slipped by the defense and hit a shot on goal from 10 yards out forcing Beat goalkeeper Briana Scurry to make a save. Scurry saved the initial shot, but the ball bounded back out to Yankowski, who shot the rebound high on the open goal.

Kylie Bivens had the Beat's best first half opportunity in the 21st minute after a failed clearance on a corner kick found her at the top of the Courage penalty box. Courage goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill was out of position, but Bivens' shot sailed just high.

Hooper entered the game after halftime replacing Sun Wen in the lineup. She immediately drew the Courage defenders attention and allowed the Beat's offense to gain some possession in the Courage's defensive third. The Beat's best second half scoring opportunity came in the 50th minute when midfielder Homare Sawa curled a shot from 20 yards out to the right post. Courage goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill dove to her left and saved the shot.

Between the 65th and 70th minute the Beat's defense was soaking up a rush of offensive pressure from the Courage. Courage rookie forward Katie Barnes sent a cross into the penalty area from the left side that deflected off Beat defender Kylie Bivens and hit the crossbar. The lone goal came in the 72nd minute when the Beat's defense failed to clear the ball out of pressure. A loose ball found Hege Riise in the left corner of the field. She dribbled towards the end line and crossed the ball into the penalty area for Roberts who jumped up and headed the ball past Scurry for her first goal of the season and the first goal scored at SAS Stadium.

Parlow entered the match in the 64th minute, replacing forward Emily Burt and then was given a caution in the 68th minute for a hard tackle on Riise. Neither Parlow or Hooper recorded a shot in the game.

The Beat has yet to figure out the Courage as the all time record versus Carolina now stands at 0-3-1. The loss drops the Beat's season record to 1-3-0 and 3 points. The second meeting versus the Courage takes place on Saturday, June 15 in Atlanta. The Courage stands alone at the top of the WUSA standings with a 3-0-0 record and nine points. The Philadelphia Charge plays Boston tonight at 7 p.m. and with a win could also move to 3-0-0.

The Beat returns to Atlanta in its next game on May 11 versus the reigning WUSA MVP Tiffany Milbrett and the New York Power, in the Power's only regular season visit to Atlanta in 2002. The match takes place at Herndon Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets for Atlanta Beat home games range in price from $8-$20 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling the TicketMaster number in your area. In Atlanta, call (404) 249-6400 and from outside Atlanta call 1-800-326-4000. Fans can also find a link to TicketMaster on the Beat's web site at www.theatlantabeat.com.

The Atlanta Beat is one of eight professional women's soccer teams that make up the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the world's premier women's soccer league. In the inaugural 2001 WUSA season, the Beat finished as champions of the regular season and runner-up in the league's championship game, Founders Cup. For more information about the Atlanta Beat visit www.theatlantabeat.com.

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