Carolina Courage Weekly Notebook
Published on August 12, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Carolina Courage News Release
Carolina's Birgit Prinz Named WUSA Player of the Week
Atlanta, GA (August 12, 2002) - Carolina's Birgit Prinz has been selected as the WUSA's Player of the Week for the week ending August 12, 2002. In two games last week, Prinz scored one goal and added two assists while leading the Courage to the 2002 WUSA regular season championship. It was Prinz's second player of the week award in 2002.
Carolina Claims Regular Season Title 1-1 Draw at San Diego Secures Top Seed
San Diego, CA (August 11, 2002) Hege Riise's goal in the 75th minute knotted the game and earned Carolina the point it needed to distance itself from rival Philadelphia and claim the WUSA regular season title. The Courage (12-5-4) ends its regular season campaign in sole possession of first place, having set three new league records, including most wins (12), points (40) and goals (40 â tie with Washington Freedom) in a season.
Week in Review:
In the Courage's regular season finale, Hege Riise's goal in the 75th minute knotted the game and earned Carolina the point it needed to distance itself from rival Philadelphia and claim the WUSA regular season title. The Courage (12-5-4) ends its regular season campaign in sole possession of first place, having set three new league records, including most wins (12), points (40) and goals (40 â tie with Washington Freedom) in a season.
TEAM NOTES
Courage Sets WUSA Records: Carolina concluded a banner regular season by setting three WUSA records, including most wins in a season (12), most points in a season (40), and most goals (40) â a mark the Courage shares with the Washington Freedom.
Courage Locks Up Home Field Advantage For Playoffs: The Courage has secured home field advantage in the playoffs. Carolina will host the second semifinal game (kickoff 3:30 pm) on Saturday, August 17th. The Courage's opponent will be the Atlanta Beat. Carolina owns a 4-1-1 all-time record against Atlanta.
Fotopoulos, Prinz Extend Point-Scoring Streaks: The scoring tandem of Danielle Fotopoulos and Birgit Prinz continue to find the back of the net. Earlier in the year, both Prinz and Fotopoulos had a nine game point-scoring streaks come to an end. The formidable pair rebounded to end the season by scoring at least a point in each of the last four games.
Carolina's Big Guns Finish 2nd In WUSA In Scoring: The Courage's Danielle Fotopoulos and Birgit Prinz concluded the regular season tied for 2nd in the WUSA in scoring with 32 points each. Fotopoulos boasts a balanced 11 goals and 10 assists, while Prinz (12 goals, 8 assists) averaged a scorching 2.13 points per game.
Hege Riise, the Players' MVP: If you ask her teammates, Hege Riise is this year's Most Valuable Player. Riise was the engine that powered the WUSA's most explosive offense, handing out 13 assists this year. One of the game's most clutch performers, Riise finished the regular season tied for 1st in game-winning assists and tied for 3rd in game-winning goals. In addition to all her offensive exploits, Riise's defensive work rate is one of the best in the WUSA. Why has Carolina set a WUSA record for most goals and most wins in a season? Hege Riise.
McDermott The Frontrunner For Coach Of The Year: Second year skipper Marcia McDermott is this season's leading candidate for WUSA Coach of the Year. After completely overhauling her roster in the offseason, McDermott has turned around the fortunes of the Courage. Last season, Carolina ended up last in the standings with a record of 6-12-3, surrendering a league-high 40 goals. This year, the Courage finished first with a record of 12-5-4 and has flip-flopped the numbers to record a WUSA-record 40 goals.
Getting It Done On Both Ends Of The Field: WUSA Rookie of the Year candidate Danielle Slaton is not only of the best defenders in the league, she is also an offensive sparkplug. Slaton has registered four goals this season from the left back position.
TRAINING SCHEDULE
Tuesday, August 13: 3:00 â 4:00 pm @ SAS Stadium
Wednesday, August 14: 10:00 â 11:15 am @ SAS Stadium
Thursday, August 15: 10:00 â 11:15 am @ SAS Stadium
Friday, August 16: 10:00 â 11:00 am @ SAS Stadium
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 12, 2002
- Carolina Courage Weekly Notebook - Carolina Courage
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