Sports stats



Beat Only a Single Point Away from Clinching Playoff Berth

July 28, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


ATLANTA (July 28, 2003) - The Atlanta Beat remained in first place in the WUSA standings, but did not clinch a playoff spot in the team's final game of the month. The Beat went 3-1-2 in July, tying the New York Power 1-1 to close out the month.

The Beat still sits one point from clinching a playoff berth for the third consecutive season, but can be the first team to clinch a spot, if on Wednesday, San Jose is beaten by or ties the Carolina Courage. By clinching a playoff berth, the Beat will become the only team to reach the playoffs in each of the first three seasons of the WUSA.

Atlanta Beat @ Philadelphia Charge Preview - Sat., Aug. 2, 7 p.m. ET, - Villanova Stadium The Atlanta Beat heads to Philadelphia for the third and final regular season meeting versus the Charge. The Beat has defeated the Charge in both meetings in 2003 and has outscored the Charge 5-2 in those meetings. The last time the teams faced off was on July 16, in a 1-0 win for Atlanta at Villanova Stadium. Conny Pohlers scored the only goal in the match, her third game winner of the season.

Currently, the Beat needs one point to clinch a playoff spot and it may come down to this game. Last season the Beat needed a win over Philadelphia in the final game of the season to capture a playoff spot. The Beat won 2-0 to advance to the semifinal round of the playoffs. This season the Beat is in first place and is looking to grab the maximum number of points available to guarantee a home playoff game.

The Charge has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but will be looking to end the season on a positive note and will look to be a spoiler to a team's playoff hopes. Prior to this season the Beat and Charge were the only two teams to advance to the playoffs in both seasons of the WUSA. With the Charge eliminated, the Beat can become the only team to advance in all three seasons.

Key matchup: Defender Nancy Augustyniak vs. Forward Marinette Pichon - Beat defender Nancy Augustyniak has been a consistent performer on the back line for Atlanta. The WUSA all-star has helped lead Atlanta to eight shutouts this season and the league's best defense. She's had some great battles with the game's top forwards and will look to stop the reigning WUSA MVP, Marinette Pichon, on Saturday. Pichon has 10 goals and 2 assists and is one of the most creative and dangerous players in the league.

Tom Stone's Quotes on match versus Philadelphia: "Even though they've been eliminated from the playoffs, the Charge is still a very proud team and now they're just getting some of their best players back. Now they'll be playing for pride and some redemption. We've beaten them in both games this season, so I'm sure they'll want to come out and play their best to get one back."

Stone on the motivation for the rest of the season - "We talk a lot about the things we've done and how hard we've worked to get to where we are at this point of the season. The team realizes that they still must secure a playoff spot, then must work hard to earn home field advantage and the chance to play in front of our fans."

Beat 1, Power 1 - Game Recap - July 26, 2003 The Atlanta Beat remained undefeated all-time versus the Power, tying New York 1-1 at Mitchel Athletic Complex on Saturday night. While the tie did give the Beat a point, it still kept Atlanta a point away from clinching a playoff berth. The Beat defeated the Power 5-0 on the first day of the 2003 season, but met a stingy Power defense on Saturday night.

The Beat pressured the Power defense throughout the first half, but the offense could not find the back of the net. The Power defense and goalkeeper Saskia Webber thwarted the closest chances. The Beat came out strong in the second half and got the go ahead goal in the 51st minute. The play began with Homare Sawa sending a great long pass to Cindy Parlow in the penalty box. Parlow controlled the ball and hit a shot that bounced off the right post and out in front of the goal. Charmaine Hooper finished the loose ball for her 8th goal of the season.

The Power came right back and got a goal from defender Shannon Boxx, who headed in a long free kick past Briana Scurry. The goal was the first given up by Scurry in over 300 minutes of play. The game remained tied, as Atlanta could not get a go ahead strike.

Tom Stone's quotes on match versus New York: "I credit New York with getting us off our game early. I think they played with a lot of passion, the same passion we have shown for most of the season, but we really did not bring it tonight."

"They beat us to a lot of balls; I think Boxx (Shannon) was fantastic. We did a pretty good job defending them, except for the set play which they scored of course."

"I thought we should have done a better job to hold onto that lead which we gave ourselves in the first half."

Atlanta Beat Training Schedule (July 29 - August 1, 2003):
Tuesday: 9-11 a.m.; Rose Bowl Field (Ga. Tech)
Wednesday: 9-11 a.m.; Rose Bowl Field (Ga. Tech)
Thursday: 9-11 a.m.; Rose Bowl Field (Ga. Tech)
Friday: Training in Philadelphia (TBD)

Training times and locations are subject to change. All training sessions are open to the media, but if you would like to schedule specific interviews please contact Lee Kallman at 404-269-7357 or Stephen Rodriguez at 404-441-3030.

Injury Report - (Week, July 28 - August 2, 2003) Abby Crumpton - probable (groin strain)

Additional Notes

Beat Defense Could Set Best Ever Goals Against Average

The Atlanta Beat's defense has been among the best through two and two thirds seasons in the WUSA and this season could set the record for fewest goals allowed during the regular season. The 2001 defense allowed 21 goals for a 1.00 goals against average, which ranked 1st during the inaugural season. In 2002 the Beat had the 2nd ranked defense allowing 29 goals. The Beat's defense in 2003 has allowed only 14 goals through 18 games for a 0.78 goals against average. The Beat would set the record by allowing six goals or fewer in three games. So far in 2003, the Beat has allowed three goals in a game only once, two goals only twice, and has not allowed two goals or more in consecutive games. When having been scored upon twice or more in a single game, the Beat has followed up each time, with shutouts on all three occasions.

Beat International Maribel Dominguez Strong Candidate for Rookie of the Year

Beat rookie Maribel Dominguez is the top scoring rookie in the WUSA through 18 games. She ranks 10th in scoring with seven goals and four assists for 18 points. The abundance of her scoring came early in the season, while the Beat was still finding it's core lineup, but Dominguez has proven effective and versatile. She's moved up front and in the midfield, and although only 5'4'', her quickness, skill on the ball and ability to face big, tough defenders has been a key to the Beat's success.

Another Beat newcomer, Conny Pohlers, ranks among the top scoring first year players in the WUSA. She's notched four goals and five assists for 13 points and ranks 3rd among first year players. Dominguez is 1st and fellow German, Melanie Hoffman, ranks 2nd with five goals and five assists for 15 points. Hoffman and Pohlers are not classified as rookies, as each has held contracts and competed in the German 1st Division.

Beat Goalkeeper Briana Scurry Vying for Number One Goalkeeper Honors

Although having two great seasons in 2001 and 2002, Briana Scurry was beaten out for WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year honors. In 2003 Scurry has made it known that she is back and is arguably the best in the league and the world. Scurry leads the WUSA in winning percentage (.656), shutouts (7), save percentage (81.4) and is tied for first in wins (8). She's the leagues all-time leader in shutouts with 20, four more than LaKeysia Beene's total. She's also the all-time leader in wins (26), catches and punches (232) and leads the league all-time with a 1.00 goals against average (Totals calculated for goalkeepers recording more than 1500 minutes played).

Atlanta Beat Season Final August 10, 2003, 6:30 p.m. @ Herndon Stadium

The Atlanta Beat's final regular season game will be played at home on Sunday, August 10, at 6:30 p.m. It was originally scheduled for Saturday, August 9, but due to a conflict with the Atlanta Falcons preseason game on August 9, the game was rescheduled.

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

Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 28, 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