Fans Can Vote for Goal of the Year
August 14, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
ATLANTA (Thursday, August 14, 2003) - Voting for the 2003 WUSA Goal of the Year is now available on WUSA.com. Fans can vote by logging on to www.WUSA.com and clicking on the "Goal of the Year" button located on the right side of league's homepage. Voting for the award will take place until Monday, August 18. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, August 19. The WUSA had its share of outstanding goals among the more than 250 scored during the 2003 campaign. This year's best goals were narrowed down to six finalists:
Maribel Dominguez (Atlanta - April 12 vs. Boston) - Dominguez, having already notched two goals on the day, finished off the hat trick in the 63rd minute, stealing the ball from Boston defender Monica Gonzalez 35 yards from goal. The Mexican national team star dribbled past Gonzalez and straight at the goal. Dominguez then juked Boston defender Kate Sorero and entered the penalty area, where the predominately right-footed player unleashed a left-footed blast that sailed by Breakers goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc.
Marinette Pichon (Philadelphia - May 17 vs. New York) - In the 60th minute, midfielder Stacey Tullock sent a cross from the left side of the field into the penalty area which connected with an unmarked Pichon, at the edge of the six-yard box. From the middle of the area, Pichon cracked a one-time, half-volley shot with her left foot that zipped past New York goalkeeper Carly Smolak into the lower left corner of the net.
Melanie Hoffmann - (Philadelphia - June 7 vs. San Diego) - In the 10th minute, Philadelphia defender Jennifer Tietjen-Prozzo sent a throw-in into the penalty area. After getting knocked around in the area by both teams, the ball gets cleared out toward the top of the 18-yard box. Positioned just outside of the area, Hoffmann took the ball out of mid-air and cracked a one-time, half-volley which sailed past a diving Jaime Pagliarulo of the Spirit. The eventual game-winning goal gave the Charge an early 2-0 lead.
Conny Pohlers (Atlanta - July 12 vs. Washington) - In the 49th minute, midfielder Ifeoma Dieke coolly put a spectacular move on a Freedom defender at Washington's end line. As another Freedom defender closed in on Dieke, the ball squirted out to Pohlers at the left side of the penalty area. Pohlers gathered the ball, cut left to get by Washingotn's Carrie Moore, then cut right past Freedom midfielder Lindsay Stoecker, before firing a shot in the right corner of the net through Washington defender Sandra Minnert's legs and past Freedom goalkeeper Siri Millinx.
Christine Latham (San Diego - July 15 vs. Washington) - In the 23rd minute, a monster kick by San goalkeeper Jenni Branam sailed deep into the Freedom territory, where forward Julie Fleeting rose to flick the ball on with her head. The ball looped over Washington's defense to Latham, who was on an all-out sprint. With Washington defender Jennifer Grubb closing, Latham struck a first-time, dipping, half-volley from just outside the penalty area. The shot streaked over Washington goalkeeper Siri Mullinix, kissed the underside of the crossbar, finding the back of the net.
Abby Wambach (Washington - July 19 vs. New York) - In the 80th minute, Washington forward Mia Hamm sent a free kick from approximately 25 yards toward goal. As the ball dipped into the area, Wambach, just outside of the six-yard box, connected with the ball. With her entire body in mid-air and her momentum pulling her from right to left across the net, Wambach redirected Hamm's free kick with her head, toward near post, leaving New York goalkeeper Saskia Webber with no chance to make a play on the shot.
The WUSA Playoff Semifinals will be a one-game affair on August 16 and 17. PAX TV will broadcast the first semifinal on Saturday, August 16 at 4 pm ET (Washington at Boston) and ESPN2 will carry the second semifinal on Sunday, August 17 at 6 pm ET (San Diego at Atlanta). Dave Johnson and Wendy Gebauer will call the action during Saturday's game on PAX while Sunday's ESPN2 broadcast will feature Beth Mowins and Anson Dorrance.
Following the one-game WUSA Playoff Semifinals, the winners advance to Founders Cup III in San Diego on Sunday, August 24 to battle for the WUSA title. ESPN2 will broadcast the championship game live from Torero Stadium at 4:00 pm ET.
Featuring the best women's soccer players in the world, WUSA athletes include Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Tiffeny Milbrett, Briana Scurry, Aly Wagner, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy and dozens of international stars. Approximately 45 WUSA players will compete in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States in September and October. The eight WUSA teams are the Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Carolina Courage, New York Power, Philadelphia Charge, San Diego Spirit, San Jose CyberRays and the Washington Freedom.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 14, 2003
- San Diego Spirit Team Awards Announced - San Diego Spirit
- Fans Can Vote for Goal of the Year - WUSA
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
