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Gerardo's Goal Advances Freedom

August 17, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release


CARY, NC - Monica Gerardo's 80th-minute goal was the difference as the Washington Freedom defeated the Philadelphia Charge 1-0 Saturday afternoon in the WUSA Playoff Semifinals. With the victory, Washington is headed to Atlanta for Founders Cup II, the WUSA's championship game, on August 24 to face the winner of this afternoon's Atlanta at Carolina playoff match.

Gerardo's goal occurred when Washington midfielder Pu Wei dumped a pass into Jacqui Little in the penalty area. With her back to the goal, Little collected the ball, spun around, and dribbled down the right side to the endline before slotting a pass to Gerardo. The Mexican national team standout hammered the ball into the back of the net from seven yards past a helpless Melissa Moore.

Gerardo and Little were both second-half substitutes brought in to spark the offense in the 90-degree heat at Villanova Stadium.

"We know that coming in we have 30-35 minutes to make an impact," said Gerardo, who entered the game for Ann Cook in the 59th minute. "I think we both did that today."

Although it was a scoreless first half, both teams had solid scoring chances in the first 45 minutes. Washington's Steffi Jones skimmed the crossbar in the 11th minute from 21 yards out, while teammate Ann Cook cracked a 23-yard shot that smacked off the crossbar in the 33rd minute. Philadelphia's best chance came when the Charge worked it in from the right flank and Kerry Connors cracked a 12-yard shot that Siri Mullinix pushed away in the 32nd minute.

Washington's Mia Hamm entered the match at halftime, and the world's all-time scoring leader's first shot - a save by Moore -- came just 2:51 into the second half. Hamm finished with two shots on the day.

Philadelphia's best scoring chance in the second half came in the 75th minute when the Charge produced a nice combination play at the top of the penalty area. But Washington's defense closed the play down and Marinette Pichon was unable to generate a shot. Pichon, whose 14 goals ranked second in the WUSA during the regular season, had four shots on the day, but only one was on goal as Freedom defender Carrie Moore shadowed the French national team star throughout the game.

"I did everything I could to not let her get the ball," Moore said. "Even if she did get the ball, I wanted to make sure it wasn't dangerous. It was tough."

Heading into Founders Cup II, Washington is the hottest team in the WUSA, as the Freedom has gone 8-0-2 in its last 11 games.

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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 17, 2002


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