Courage Wins, Claims Share Of WUSA Lead
June 26, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Carolina Courage News Release
Uniondale, N.Y. (June 26, 2002) Birgit Prinz scored two goals and created the game winner, as the Carolina Courage (7-2-3) defeated the New York Power (2-9-1), 3-2, at Mitchel Athletic Complex on Wednesday night. Hege Riise's goal in the 79th minute was the measure of victory, as Carolina moved into a two-way tie for first place in the WUSA.
The Courage started quickly, controlling possession and creating several early scoring chances. Birgit Prinz put the Courage ahead after fourteen minutes. Staci Burt started the play, throwing the ball in to Danielle Fotopoulos, who flicked it with her head to Hege Riise. Riise, with one touch, dropped the ball back to the top of the penalty box for her onrushing teammate. Prinz stepped up and scorched a line drive into the upper left corner of the goal.
Eight minutes later, the Courage's big German forward struck again. Hege Riise pushed a ball wide to midfielder Venus James, who sent a cross into the Power box. Prinz, who shed her defender, jumped uncontested and knocked in her second goal of the game.
The Power refused to roll over and carved into the Courage lead in the 34th minute. Kristy Whelchel served a dangerous cross into the Courage penalty box. Wynne McIntosh, outleaping Carolina midfielder Hege Riise, rose up and headed the ball past Courage keeper Kristin Luckenbill.
At the break, Carolina went to the locker room ahead 2-1.
The Courage squandered a couple of opportunities to start the second half, and the Power made them pay.
After Linda Ormen was tackled from behind, New York was awarded a free kick deep in the Courage end. Tiffeny Milbrett served a nice pass over the top of the Carolina defense, and Emily Janss got on the end of it. The Power midfielder headed the ball down just inside the right goalpost for her fifth goal of the season.
With the game hanging in the balance, the Courage picked up its intensity.
Following some nice combination play, Birgit Prinz cracked a hard shot at New York goalkeeper Gao Hong. The Chinese netminder knocked the ball down, but the rebound bounced a few yards away from her. Riise, following up the shot, arrived at the loose ball a split second before Gao and delicately chipped the ball into the upper netting.
"Hege had a workmanlike game today," said McDermott. "We needed her energy and mobility in the midfield, and she was steady throughout. The goal was a combination of a excellent work rate, being willing to frame the goal and great sophistication, because she put the ball in the only place she could to get the goal."
The Courage defense buckled down in the final ten minutes to preserve the victory. Nel Fettig, whom Carolina picked up after New York waived her at the end of March, was the lynchpin of the Courage backline.
"Fettig played very well tonight," praised McDermott, "despite the fact that (the Power) continually hit long balls behind our defense to their very fast attack. She read the game well and made difficult situations seem easy."
The victory propelled the Courage to the top of the WUSA standings and maintained Carolina's distinction as the WUSA's only unbeaten team (5-0-2) on the road.
"Obviously we don't want to squander a 2-0 lead," said McDermott, "but to score the game winner after allowing them back in to the game showed character on our team. We're on a steady pace for the playoffs and that is our absolute focus."
Birgit Prinz has now scored a goal or an assist in every WUSA game in which she has played. She has five goals and three assists in six games for the Courage.
"The thing about Birgit's goals," reflected Courage coach Marcia McDermott, "are they are all fun to watch She is on the receiving end of some outstanding creativity from her teammates and she is deadly and accurate with each of those opportunities."
The Courage has played four games in twelve days, going 3-1-0 during that stretch. 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.
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