LeBlanc Named PLayer of the Week
Published on August 11, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
ATLANTA (Monday, August 11, 2003) - Boston goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc has been selected as the league's MET-Rx Player of the Week for the week ending August 10, 2003. LeBlanc recorded two shutouts en route to Boston winning the WUSA regular season championship and a berth in the postseason for the first time in club history. LeBlanc also received the MET-Rx Player of the Week award during week nine of the 2003 WUSA season.
LeBlanc was in goal as the Breakers defeated the Carolina Courage 1-0 on Wednesday, August 6. She finished with six saves and stunned Carolina's Venus James in the first half before preserving the victory with a spectacular save on Birgit Prinz in stoppage time.
In a 1-0 victory over San Jose on Sunday, August 10, LeBlanc was outstanding, making four saves and none bigger than one on Brandi Chastain in the 86th minute. LeBlanc was one-on-one with Chastain who broke by a Breakers defender on a CyberRays set piece. Chastain half-volleyed the ball toward the goal and LeBlanc dove to deflect the ball wide. LeBlanc then made a kick save on former teammate Keri Sanchez in the 90th minute to secure the victory. The Canadian national team standout came up big in 2003, playing every minute for the Breakers and leading the WUSA with 91 saves.
LeBlanc has 38 points (16 first, 2 second) to defeat San Diego's Christine Latham. Other players who received votes were Boston's Kristine Lilly, San Diego's Jenni Branham and Philadelphia's Marinette Pichon, Pavlina Scasna and Hope Solo. The MET-Rx Player of the Week is selected every Monday throughout the regular season by a panel of journalists from the Professional Soccer Reporters Association.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 11, 2003
- Katia's surgery successful, should play in World Cup - San Jose CyberRays
- Beat Prepares for Semifinal Showdown Versus San Diego; One Win Away From Founders Cup III - Atlanta Beat
- LeBlanc Named PLayer of the Week - WUSA
- Courage Does Not Renew Entlich's Contract - Carolina Courage
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