Courage Rip Freedom
Published on June 22, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
WASHINGTON, DC - In her first start for the Courage, Venus James notched her first two career goals as Carolina (6-2-3, 21 pts.) defeated the Washington Freedom (4-5-3, 15 pts.) 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at RFK Stadium. With the victory, the Courage remains the only undefeated team (4-0-2) on the road.
James got Carolina on the board in the 43rd minute. James created a turnover in the Freedom's third of the field, leaving only goalkeeper Siri Mullinix between her and the goal. Causing Mullinix to commit off her line, James found the back of the net to give the Courage a 1-0 lead. The goal was James' first of her career.
James recorded her second goal of the match in the 53rd minute. On a free kick from the left side of the field, midfielder Hege Riise sent a cross to the far post, connecting with the head of James to make the score 2-0. The free kick was the result of Carolina forward Birgit Prinz being fouled by Washington's Emmy Barr.
Prinz extended Carolina's lead to 3-0 with a goal in the 67th minute. A give-and-go between Riise and Fotopoulos resulted in the Carolina forward with the ball just outside of the penalty area on the right side. "Fotop" sent a low driving cross in the box, which Prinz dove towards, sending it to the back of the net.
Bai Jie recorded her first goal of the season in the 76th minute to cut into the Courage lead 3-1. Abby Wambach sent a beautiful through pass on a header to Bai who got behind the Courage defense. With on goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill to beat, Bai took a shot that was stopped by Luckenbill. However, the Carolina 'keeper could not corral the ball, resulting in the Chinese star collecting the loose ball for the score.
The loss snapped a four-game unbeaten streak for the Freedom.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 22, 2002
- Beat Defeats CyberRays 2-1 - Atlanta Beat
- Breakers Go On Scoring Binge - WUSA
- Atlanta Hold Off San Jose - WUSA
- Courage Rip Freedom - WUSA
- Courage Topples Nemesis Washington 3-1 - Carolina Courage
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