Courage Topples Nemesis Washington 3-1
Published on June 22, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Carolina Courage News Release
Washington, DC. (June 22, 2002) The Carolina Courage defeated the Washington Freedom 3-1 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The victory, Carolina's first-ever against the Freedom, solidified the Courage's hold on second place in the WUSA standings.
The Courage nearly took an early lead in the 17th minute, when Danielle Fotopoulos met a Birgit Prinz corner kick with her head, but the Courage forward knocked the ball just over the bar.
The Freedom's best chance of the first half came in the 33rd minute. After some patient build-up, player was able to pick out player wide open in the Courage penalty box. The Freedom's top gun fired a shot to the left of goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill, who dove across the goalmouth to snare it.
The Courage carried play for most of the first half, out-shooting Washington 9-4.
Finally, in the 43rd minute some individual hustle resulted in a Courage lead. Midfielder Venus James closed down a lazy pass out of the Freedom backline and won a 50/50 challenge. She dribbled in alone on goalkeeper Siri Mullinix, faked a pass across the goalmouth, and slotted the ball just inside the post. It was the first career goal for James, whom the Courage acquired in the offseason.
"(Venus) has been on fire in practice with consistency and productivity," praised Courage head coach Marcia McDermott. "That translated into a great day on the field today."
The Freedom almost evened the score in a similar fashion only minutes into the second half. Washington forward Abby Wambach threw herself in front of a Danielle Slaton clearing attempt, sacrificing her body. Wambach knocked the ball down into the path of her run and came in alone on Luckenbill. Unfortunately, the big Freedom striker could not get around on her shot, which fanned off out of play.
In the 52nd minute, however, the Courage extended its lead. After the Courage earned a free kick deep in the Washington end, Hege Riise sent a dangerous cross into the Freedom penalty area. Venus James rose above the crowd to nod in her second goal of the day.
"I'm excited after not having had a goal last year," said James. When asked about getting two in the same game, she added, "that was twice as nice."
Carolina wasn't quite done, and punished the Freedom fifteen minutes later. Hege Riise started the play, releasing Danielle Fotopoulos down the right flank. Fotopoulos carried the ball toward the corner flag, before sending a line drive back across the goal. Teammate Birgit Prinz, charging into the penalty area, leapt through the air and headed the ball into the open net.
The goal and assist extended the point-scoring streaks of Prinz and Fotopoulos to five games each. Carolina's German superstar has now recorded either a goal or an assist in every game she has played for the Courage. Riise's two assists pushed her ahead of Boston's Maren Meinert for the league lead in helpers.
Washington would not go down without a fight, and pulled a goal back in the 76th minute. Bai Jie, running onto a ball headed over the restraining line by Abby Wambach, outraced Danielle Slaton and cracked a shot at goal. Kristin Luckenbill did well to make an initial save, but Bai snatched up the rebound and poked it home.
Following the goal, Washington racheted up the pressure, firing the next five shots of the game at Luckenbill. Only one of those shots was on goal, however, and the Courage was able to salt away the win.
Following the match, Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra blasted his troops.
"The team that showed up today was a team that was afraid of their opponent. Too nice and too lackadaisical."
The nice play was not as apparent to the referee, who whistled Washington for 21 fouls to Carolina's 10.
With the win, Carolina equals its point production from all of last season, 21 points. The Courage has ten games remaining.
The Courage is in the middle of difficult stretch in which they play five games in two weeks. On Wednesday, June 26th the Courage travels to Mitchel Athletic Complex to take on Tiffeny Milbrett and the New York Power.
On Saturday, June 29th the Courage returns home to welcome Julie Foudy and the San Diego Spirit. Don't miss the Courage Beach Bash at SAS Stadium, as the first 1500 fans to enter the stadium and receive a complimentary Carolina Courage beach ball. The 7:00 game will be televised live on Fox Sports Net.
For ticket information, call the Carolina Courage ticket office at (919) 573-7626 or visit online at www.carolinacourage.com. Individual game tickets may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Kroger's, Hecht's and Schoolkids Records. You can also dial (919) 834-4000 or log on to www.ticketmaster.com.
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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