Charge's Pichon, Krikorian Headline WUSA's Award Finalists
August 14, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Philadelphia Charge News Release
VILLANOVA, PA (August 14, 2002) - The Women's United Soccer Association revealed its list of finalists for the year-end awards on Wednesday and the Philadelphia Charge have a league-best eight nominees.
Highlighting the list is forward Marinette Pichon, who is among the finalists for both the Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards. Also, Erica Iverson and Jen Tietjen are both finalists for Defensive Player of the Year, while Melissa Moore is being considered for Goalkeeper of the Year. Midfielder Stacey Tullock is up for Rookie of the Year and defender Jenny Benson is a finalist for Humanitarian of the Year.
Mark Krikorian is one of three finalists for Coach of the Year and General Manager Tim Murphy is up for Executive of the Year.
Pichon finished the 2002 regular season as the Charge's leader in both goals and points. Her 14 goals were good enough for second in the league, while her 29 points ranked her in a tie for third. Those totals were also single-season bests for the Charge and make her the team's all-time leader.
"I am happy to be noticed but more happy for my team," Pichon said. "It means my team has done well but right now I am just focused on winning on Saturday."
"Pichon has had an outstanding season," Krikorian said. "She has been very opportunistic and finished a lot of chances for us."
Iverson and Tietjen have been solid in the back line for the Charge this season. Philadelphia allowed a league-low 22 goals during the 21-game regular season and held opponents to only 11.9 shots per game and only 5.5 shots on goal.
"Both Erica and Jen deserve a lot of the credit for the success our back line has had this year," Krikorian said.
Iverson, who scored her first two career goals this year, had the tough task of filling in for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the retired Doris Fitschen, and has done so admirably.
"It's hard to say this is an individual thing because all of us together kind of made this happen," Iverson said. "If you put me in a different lineup I probably wouldn't have been as successful."
Krikorian was not as quick to deflect the individual attention away from Iverson. "Erica has established herself as one of the best defenders in the league," he said. "Her physical play and ability in the air are second to no one."
Tietjen, who had a goal and five assists from her center back position, also played superbly all year. With Iverson and Tietjen on the field, the Charge posted a record of 11-2-5.
"Jen's been a great leader for us this year," Krikorian said. "She's a great communicator and a very, very good 1-v-1 defender."
Moore has been leading or at the top of every goalkeeping category all season. She finished the year with a league-best 1.00 goals-against average and posted 11 wins. She finished second in save percentage (78.2) and first in winning percentage (70.0). She was claimed off waivers from the San Diego Spirit prior to 2001 and has become one of the success stories of the WUSA.
"To be recognized for my play is pretty exciting," Moore said. "I guess I never expected it, but it's certainly an honor since so many of the league's goalkeepers are so amazing."
"Melissa has shown that she is becoming a seasoned professional," Krikorian said. "Her decision-making is much improved and I think she had a great season for us."
In his second year at the helm, Krikorian is again being considered for Coach of the Year. He was also a finalist last year, but was outdistanced by San Jose's Ian Sawyers. This year, Krikorian again led a Philadelphia club that was picked by most to finish toward the bottom of the league to an impressive year. The Charge were at least tied atop the league standings for 20 of the 22 weeks in the regular season, finishing the season in second place. Over his first two seasons, Krikorian has posted a 20-12-12 record.
"Marcia and Jim have both done outstanding jobs with their teams going from the bottom of the standings to the top," Krikorian said. "It's flattering to be considered in the same company as they are."
Tullock, the Charge's first-round draft pick (fifth overall) from Arizona State, has been a staple in the team's midfield since joining the club five games into the season. Tullock decided not to join the Charge until her final semester at ASU was over, making her a risky pick for Krikorian. However, after getting settled in, Tullock scored two goals and set up a number of other scoring chances for Philadelphia.
"Stacey is showing the qualities that we hoped she'd show when we drafted her," Krikorian said. "Not having her here early in the season was a little difficult for her, but now that she's comfortable she's showing that she's a very high-level player and will receive consideration for the National Team at some point."
Murphy, who has been the team's general manager for the last two years, is also up for an award. He has spearheaded the Charge's efforts both on and off the field, helping the Charge become a staple throughout the communities of the Delaware Valley and a winning franchise on the field. Under Murphy's leadership, the Charge continue to draw enthusiast crowds and conduct countless numbers of clinics and other community driven events.
"I have a great staff around me," Murphy said. "This nomination isn't about me, it is about the hard work and determination of every single person who works for the Charge and Comcast-Spectacor, front office and players included."
Benson, a starting defender and someone who has U.S. National Team experience, uses her popularity to reach out and help those who need it the most. She has accepted herself as a role model for the thousands of kids who attend Charge games and has used this popularity to helps those less fortunate.
Last season, Benson developed a special relationship with Gia Gaudet, who has Spina Bifida. This season, Benson along with some of her teammates, participated in the Gia Nicole Angel Fund Benefit Dinner. As a result of Benson's efforts, as well as the efforts of others, the dinner raise close to $20,000 for a wheelchair assessable van to transport Gia.
Benson has also developed a special relationship with Taylor Brownfield, a Horsham, PA resident who has bone cancer. Benson make a number of visits to Taylor, inviting her to games and spending afternoons with her. After every chemotherapy session, Benson makes it a point to stop in and visit Taylor.
"Jenny has gone out of her way for an awful lot of young people in the Philadelphia area," Krikorian said. "An award like this would really recognize the work she's done and her impact in the community."
The awards winners will be announced starting on Tuesday, August 20 and running through Thursday, August 22. On Tuesday, the Coach, Goalkeeper, Rookie, Humanitarian Referee and Goal of the Year will be announced. On Wednesday, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, All-WUSA 1st and 2nd team, Team Fair Play and Team Community Service Awards will be awarded. Then, on Thursday the league's Most Valuable Player will be announced.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 14, 2002
- Day Off Brings Nominations for Charge - Philadelphia Charge
- Awards Finalists Announced - WUSA
- Charge's Pichon, Krikorian Headline WUSA's Award Finalists - Philadelphia Charge
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