North Carolina State University Athletics
Hooper Notches Team-Leading Fourth Goal In Beat Victory
6/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
June 2, 2002
The Atlanta Beat had arguably its best performance of the season today, blanking the San Diego Spirit 2-0 at Torero Stadium in WUSA action on Saturday. Charmaine Hooper notched her team leading fourth goal of the season and Homare Sawa tallied her first as the Beat extended its winning streak to three games and its unbeaten streak to four.
"Briana Scurry had a great game. Hooper and Parlow had great games," said Atlanta Beat Head Coach Tom Stone. "But it was our midfield that defined the game today. Nikki and Kylie played well together and Liping and Sawa played well together."
The Beat came out the aggressor in the first half and nearly took the lead in the 6th minute of play. Atlanta Beat center back Sharolta Nonen won the ball in the midfield and dribbled down the left side of the field. She sent a low hard cross into the penalty area and Hooper hit a full left footed volley on goal, but Spirit keeper Jaime Pagliarulo was able to corral the ball for the save.
Hooper would come through on the next scoring chance in the 21st minute. The play started when Nikki Serlenga won a hard tackle in the midfield. She passed the ball to Sawa who took two touches, lifted her head and played a through ball to Hooper, who had run by Spirit defender Fan Yunjie. Hooper gathered the ball and had only Pagliarulo to beat. Pagliarulo raced out and challenged Hooper. The two slid for the ball and Hooper muscled it past Pagliarulo for her fourth goal of the season.
The Beat had one more clear opportunity in the first half as Hooper flicked a header on to Cindy Parlow in the penalty box. Parlow was open in front of goal, but her shot went straight at Pagliarulo who made the save.
Hooper nearly had her second goal of the game in the 52nd minute as she dribbled around Pagliarulo and took an off balance shot that hit the right post and bounced back into the penalty box.
The Beat heads to New York for its next match on Sunday, June 9. The Beat tied the Power 3-3 in their last meeting on May 11. The Power came from two goals down to tie the Beat on a stoppage time goal. Next Sunday's game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net South at 6 p.m. EDT.
