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Hamm, Wambach Lead Freedom Rout

July 31, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release


CARY, NC - Mia Hamm had two goals and an assist and Abby Wambach registered a goal and three assists as the Washington Freedom scored four second-half goals to defeat the Carolina Courage 5-2 Wednesday evening in front of an overflow crowd of 7,214 at SAS Stadium. With the victory, Washington (9-5-5, 32 pts.) moves within one point of second place Carolina (10-5-3, 33 pts.). Carolina suffered its third consecutive defeat following a 10-2-3 start.

Tonight's match did little to clear up the playoff race, as neither team has clinched a playoff berth. A victory would have clinched a postseason spot for Carolina, but the Courage will have to try again on Saturday, August 3 when the club hosts San Jose. With a little help from San Jose, Washington can clinch a playoff berth on Sunday, August 4 when the Freedom hosts Atlanta.

Wambach put Washington on the scoreboard first when she cracked a shot from the left corner of the penalty area that hit the underside of the crossbar and went into the goal past Carolina goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill in the 23rd minute. It was Wambach's 10th goal of the season, making her the only rookie to score in double figures in the WUSA two-year history.

Three minutes later, Danielle Fotopoulos' header from close range evened the score at 1-1. Carolina then went up 2-1 just before halftime when Birgit Prinz chipped Washington goalkeeper Siri Mullinix for her ninth goal of the season. Venus James' through ball found Prinz, and the German striker headed it forward before cleverly chipping an onrushing Mullinix from 13 yards.

Washington forward Mia Hamm entered the match following halftime, and the world's all-time leading scorer was the difference in the second half. With Hamm inserted into the match, the trio of Wambach, Hamm and Bai Jie kept Carolina's defense off balance.

It was Chinese midfielder Bai who evened the score in the 53rd minute with her blast from 12 yards. She received the ball in space and ripped a screamer that swerved around Luckenbill into the top right corner of the goal.

Hamm scored the first of her two goals when she ran onto a Wambach cross at the left post and beat Luckenbill near post from close range in the 56th minute. Bai Jie scored her second goal of the evening when she put Washington 4-2 in the 60th minute. Hamm closed out the scoring in the 80th minute when she blasted a 25-yard shot past a helpless Luckenbill.

Despite losing, Carolina outshot Washington 23-12 in a match that featured end-to-end action. The five goals set a club record for Washington.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 31, 2002


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