Beat Remains Undefeated; Prepares for May 3 Home Match versus San Jose

Published on April 28, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


ATLANTA (April 28, 2003) - The Atlanta Beat remained undefeated and leading scorer Maribel Dominguez continued her hot start to the 2003 season, as the Beat tied the Freedom 1-1 on Saturday. Dominguez notched the Beat's only goal, which helped Atlanta break a two game slide versus Washington. Dominguez has scored five goals in three games and leads the league in goals and points, and is among the leading candidates for WUSA Player of the Month. The Beat's next match is at home on Saturday, May 3, at 7 p.m. versus the San Jose CyberRays. The CyberRays are 1-2-0, with their only win coming in the opening week versus Philadelphia.

Atlanta Beat vs. San Jose CyberRays Preview - Saturday, May 3, 7 p.m. Herndon Stadium - ATLANTA The Atlanta Beat and San Jose CyberRays face off on Saturday in the first of three regular season meetings. The Beat is undefeated and coming off a 1-1 tie versus the Washington Freedom, while the CyberRays come to Atlanta on a two game losing streak, the most recent loss a 2-1 decision to the San Diego Spirit.

The Beat and CyberRays last met on July 10, 2002, in San Jose. The CyberRays won 3-1, behind two goals from Brazilian forward Katia. The loss was the first time the CyberRays had defeated Atlanta in the regular season and in regulation time.

The Beat leads the all-time regular season series at 4-1-1, while the CyberRays won the post-season matchup in the inaugural Founders Cup Championship in 2001. The game was played to a 3-3 tie through regulation and overtime, with the CyberRays prevailing 4-2 in penalty kicks.

Key matchup - Forwards Charmaine Hooper and Maribel Dominguez vs. Defenders Thori Bryan and Michelle French. The dynamic attacking duo of Hooper and Dominguez will be key for the Atlanta Beat in breaking down the CyberRays defense. Hooper has been a nemesis to the CyberRays through two seasons, as she's notched six goals and two assists in the regular season versus San Jose. Dominguez is off to a blistering scoring pace, with five goals and two assists in three games. The tough and tactical defensive duo of Bryan and French will have to match up with Hooper's physical presence and Dominguez's speed and skill, if they plan to be successful.

Tom Stone's Quotes on match versus San Jose: "You always have to concern yourself with the creativity of San Jose's attack. They play such an unpredictable game, that you really have to stay on your toes. We've always had some great match-ups versus the CyberRays."

"When you couple Katia's amazing goal scoring ability, with Chastain coming up from the backfield, you really need to be prepared for anything."

Beat vs. Freedom Recap - Saturday, April 26, 2:30 p.m. RFK Stadium - WASHINGTON D.C. The Beat's winning streak ended at two games after tying the Washington Freedom on Saturday 1-1. The Beat was held scoreless in a half for the first time, as the score was knotted at zeros at halftime. Early in the first half, the Beat had the best chance of the game, after forward Maribel Dominguez was fouled in the penalty area. Nikki Serlenga stepped up to the penalty spot and had her shot saved by Freedom keeper Siri Mullinix.

The second half saw the Beat come out attacking, as Homare Sawa and Abby Crumpton had shots ring off the woodwork. The Beat would get the first goal of the game, from a familiar source this season, in the 68th minute. Dominguez took a pass from the midfield, settled the ball in the penalty area and hit a tough angled shot from the right side that struck the underside of the cross bar and went in for her 5th goal of the young season.

The 1-0 lead was short lived though, as Kelly Golebiowski notched the equalizer only 40 seconds later. The ball was headed away from the center of the penalty area by a Beat defender, but fell to Golebiowski who hit a left footed volley by Briana Scurry and into the back of the Beat's net.

The game ended 1-1, with the Beat surrendering its first goal of the season. The Beat remains undefeated with a 2-0-1 record. Scurry, who earlier in the day played 90 minutes for the U.S. Women's National Team, surrendered her first goal of the season.

Join the Beat for the Inaugural Atlanta Beat Media Challenge This Wednesday You've proven your medal as a member of the media having covered the Beat throughout the team's first two seasons. You've covered the "wall-like" skill of Briana Scurry, the aggressiveness of Charmaine Hooper and more recently, the on-demand goal scoring ability of Maribel Dominguez.

So the question is, how does all the time you've put in covering the team, equate to your skills on the field? Ah, who cares, the Atlanta Beat Media Challenge is all about fun. Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of soccer activities and a small-sided soccer tournament, with Beat players and coaches.

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