Freedom Down Courage, 2-1
Published on April 5, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Carolina Courage News Release
CARY, NC - Mia Hamm's long-range goal in the 59th minute gave the Washington Freedom a 2-1 victory and a small measure of revenge against the defending WUSA champion Carolina Courage at SAS Stadium on Saturday. The Freedom had lost to the Courage 3-2 in the Founders Cup last August.
With the game knotted 1-1, Hamm, the 2002 FIFA Player of Year, collected a loose ball in midfield, dribbled a few yards, and sent a long, curling cross into the Courage penalty area. The ball sailed dangerously into the upper right corner of the goal, eluding an outstretched Meghann Burke, for the game winner. The Courage goalkeeper, selected in the second round of the 2003 draft, was making her WUSA debut, in place of the injured Kristin Luckenbill, last season's WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year.
The Courage started quickly, opening the scoring in the sixth minute. Birgit Prinz, who earned MVP honors by scoring the game-winner for Carolina in the Founders Cup, notched her first goal of the season. Prinz caught up to a pass from teammate Hege Riise, held off defender Carrie Moore, who lost her balance in a challenge, stepped around goalkeeper Siri Mullinix, and slotted the ball in the goal.
Abby Wambach equalized in the final minutes of the first half. After the Freedom was awarded a free kick just beyond midfield, Mia Hamm drove a long serve into the Courage penalty box. Burke came charging to collect it, but Wambach, the 2002 WUSA Rookie of the Year, hurled her body into the path of the ball, making contact with her head. The glancing contact altered the flight of the ball, directing it past the rookie goalkeeper.
In the second half, the Courage squandered a golden chance to take the lead in the 53rd minute, when midfielder Hege Riise pushed an awarded penalty kick wide to the left.
The missed opportunity would come back to haunt the Courage. Six minutes later, Hamm notched the game-winner.
"I was trying to serve the ball in the box," explained Hamm, "but we'll take it."
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from April 5, 2003
- Spirit Falls to Breakers, 2-1, in WUSA Season Opener - San Diego Spirit
- Beat Downs Power 5-0 in Home Opener - Atlanta Beat
- Freedom Down Courage, 2-1 - Carolina Courage
- San Diego Spirit's Joy Fawcett Undergoes Successful Ankle Surgery - San Diego Spirit
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