OT Goal Wins It for Courage
Published on August 17, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
CARY, NC - A "golden goal" by second half substitute Carla Overbeck gave Carolina a berth in Founders Cup II as the Courage defeated the Atlanta Beat 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at SAS Stadium. With the win, the Courage advance to the WUSA Founders Cup II versus the Washington Freedom on August 24 in Atlanta.
"We just came through a terrific game with Atlanta," said Carolina Head Coach Marcia McDermott. "Now, we need to focus our attention on Washington. They are the hottest team in the league. They are playing great soccer and are completely confident. This is going to be a great game between two teams that know how to score goals."
Two minutes into overtime, Overbeck, who came in during the 74th minute, scored the game-winning "golden goal" to clinch the victory for the Courage. Danielle Fotopoulos began the play with a pass to Birgit Prinz down the right side. As the German striker was entering Atlanta's penalty area, she ripped a shot toward the far post. Atlanta goalkeeper Briana Scurry got her right hand on it to deflect the shot to the far edge of the six-yard box. An unmarked Overbeck ran onto the ball and buried a shot into the back of the net for the win.
"For these two teams (Carolina and Washington) to go to the Founders Cup after a not so good year last year is just a credit to the whole organization," said Overbeck. "It was definitely special. We've been working hard all year. Marcia (McDermott) and the staff have done a great job. I glad we're going to the Founders Cup championship."
Atlanta took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute on a penalty kick by Nikki Serlenga. The Beat midfielder ripped a shot from the penalty spot to beat Carolina goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill to her right. The penalty kick was the result of Carolina's Fotopoulos fouling Atlanta's Cindy Parlow during a corner kick by Serlenga in the 27th minute.
Following the Atlanta goal, the game was suspended in the 29th minute for 29 minutes due to lighting.
The Beat was forced to play a person down for the remainder of the match after Julie Augustyniak received her second yellow card of the match and was sent off in the 57th minute.
Carolina tied the match with penalty kick goal by Fotopoulos in the 89th minute. Burying the ball into the exact spot as her counterpart did earlier in the match, Fotopoulos beat Scurry to her right. The penalty kick was the result of Carolina's Hege Riise being taken down by Atlanta's Marci Miller in the area.
"I think we just kept fighting," said Fotopoulos. "We kept wanting it more than they did and came up with the win. But, I can tell you that when the whistle blew I was in tears."
With neither team able to claim the lead during regulation, the match went into overtime.
Carolina will now head to Atlanta to face Washington in Founders Cup II at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on PAX TV. The Freedom defeated the Philadelphia Charge 1-0 earlier in the day at Villanova Stadium.
"They're the hottest team right now in the WUSA," said Overbeck. "So, we are going to work hard this week and hopefully get a win next week."
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 17, 2002
- OT Goal Wins It for Courage - WUSA
- Beat Falls 2-1 in Overtime of WUSA Semifinals - Atlanta Beat
- Gerardo's Goal Advances Freedom - WUSA
- Late Goal Ends Charge Season - Philadelphia Charge
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