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SPORTS ZONE 1: Wambach Wows at WUSA Final

The third season of big time women's soccer ended yesterday with the Washington Freedom edging Atlanta Beat 2-1, in Founders Cup III.

The game was hotly contested and tight throughout until Abby Wambach scored the game winner in the 6th minute of overtime. The Championship was played on neutral ground at Sand Diego's Torero Stadium in front of 7,106 screaming fans who didn't go home disappointed.

Abby Wambach netted the first Freedom goal of the afternoon, and first overall during the seventh minute of the game. The Freedom fired shot after shot dominating their opponents and startling Beat goaltender Briana Scurry with 20 shots. But Scurry and the Beat defenders regrouped to mount a challenge to the defending Freedom Cup champs, tying the score on a Charmaine Hooper penalty kick.

A foul was whistled when Beat forward Leslie Gaston was allegedly brought down within the penalty area. The Beat were awarded a penalty kick which Charmaine Hooper slammed past Freedom goalie Siri Mullinix. The Penalty kick ended the first half in a tie.

The second half opened with the Freedom attacking aggressively and the Beat strategically counterattacking when they had an advantage. They almost had such an advantage and the lead when Freedom goalie Mullinix was caught of her goal line. Freedom player Lindsay Stoecker slid over from her usual Midfield position to clear a shot that surely would have rippled the net and given the Beat the lead and possibly the Founders Cup.

The second half ended in a 1-1 tie and went to overtime. The Freedom's Mia Hamm almost ended the game with a free kick. Her blast from outside the penalty area ricocheted high of the cross bar and safely into the hands of Scurry. The Beat players, and fans sighed in relief but their relaxation was short lived.

One minute later Wambach scored again on a well placed header and the Freedom were victorious. It was Wambach second goal of the game and she became the first player ever to score two goals in a Founders Cup. Wambach also was given the MVP trophy for her efforts.

--Written by Rob Hawkins

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