Beat Ties Power 1-1 in Regular Season Final; Hosts San Diego on August 17, in Semifinal

Published on August 10, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


ATLANTA (August 10, 2003) - The Atlanta Beat finished the 2003 regular season with a 1-1 tie versus the New York Power and a record of 9-4-8 and 35 points. The tie dropped the Beat to a second place finish in the 2003 regular season, after the Boston Breakers defeated the San Jose CyberRays and finished with a 10-4-7 record and 37 points. Atlanta will host the third place San Diego Spirit on Sunday, August 17, 2003 at 6 p.m.

The Beat got on the board early, when Charmaine Hooper notched her 11th goal of the season in the 13th minute. The play began from the back with the Beat sending a long ball into the center of the Power penalty box. A Power defender cleared the ball and Homare Sawa headed it back in and over the defense. Hooper got behind the defense and lofted a shot over Power keeper, Saskia Webber.

The Power did not let up under the Beat's pressure and evened the score in the 40th minute. A Beat foul set up a Power free kick 35 yards out from goal. Power defender Margaret Tietjen stepped to the kick and sent a hard left footed shot towards the left corner of the goal. The ball got by the Beat wall and under goalkeeper Briana Scurry. The goal was Tietjen's second of the season.

The Beat had a chance to take the lead in the first minute of stoppage time in the first half when Jaclyn Raveia fouled Hooper in the penalty box. Hooper stepped to the penalty spot and took a left-footed shot towards the right corner of the goal. Webber dove to her left and pushed the ball away.

The second half was highlighted by physical and emotional play, as 22 fouls were committed and five cautions were issued. The offense for both teams in the second half did not click as fluidly, as only one shot on goal was recorded.

Both team pushed for the game winner in the second half, but neither could find the net and the game ended in a 1-1 tie. With Boston defeating the San Jose CyberRays, the Breakers clinched the regular season title with two more points than the Atlanta Beat.

The results of Sunday's matches set up the WUSA semifinals for next weekend. Boston will host the Washington Freedom on Saturday, August 16 at 4 p.m. ET, at Nickerson Field in Boston. The Freedom finished in fourth place after losing to the San Diego Spirit on Saturday. The Beat will host the third place San Diego Spirit on Sunday, August 17, 2003 at 6 p.m. at Herndon Stadium.

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