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Beat Names 18-Player 2003 Roster

March 24, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


ATLANTA (March 24, 2003) - The Atlanta Beat today announced its 18-player 2003 roster, which includes 12 players returning from the 2002 roster and six players new to the WUSA. Three of the Beat's 2003 draft selections, two international signings and one invitational tryout player, make up the six players new to the Atlanta Beat and WUSA.

The Beat's newest members include drafts selections, Leslie Gaston a defender from the University of North Carolina, midfielder Katie Antongiovanni from the University of Denver and forward Abby Crumpton from the University of Michigan. The Beat's new international players are forward Conny Pohlers from Potsdam, Germany, and Maribel Dominguez, a forward from Mexico City, Mexico. The Beat's lone invitational tryout player to make the squad is defender Ifeoma Dieke from Florida International University. Callie Withers, the Beat's first selection in the 2003 WUSA draft, has been "college deferred" in order to finish up the spring quarter at Stanford University.

"The infusion of new players has made for a very competitive and productive preseason," said Beat Head Coach Tom Stone. "We had some difficult decisions to make, but are pleased with the balance of talent this roster gives us. In 2003, we are younger, faster, and hopefully just as hungry for success as we've been in the past."

The Atlanta Beat began preseason with an invitational tryout February 23, 2003, as the team brought in 20 players for a weeklong tryout. After selecting 10 players to continue the tryout period, the Beat squad, including the Beat's five 2003 draft selections, met on March 1 to begin the WUSA preseason.

The preseason to date included two-a-day practices for 10 days and six exhibition matches versus college and WUSA foes. The Beat earned wins over the Carolina Courage, Washington Freedom, the University of Nebraska, Auburn University and the University of Tennessee. The Beat's lone defeat in preseason came at the feet of the Philadelphia Charge.

The full 2003 Atlanta Beat squad faces its first competition as a team this Wednesday, March 26 at 7 p.m. CT, versus the San Diego Spirit in Houston, Texas, at Rice University Track & Soccer Stadium.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from March 24, 2003


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