U.S. Women Advance in Soccer

Posted on Aug. 16, 2004

Game Two

The first round of the Olympic soccer tournament was a tough one. The first half was goal-less and two Brazilian players were taken to a hospital after the game, which the U.S. women won 2-0 on Saturday.

U.S. goalkeeper, Briana Scurry, was hustling during the first half to deflect the Brazilian’s aggressive goal attempts.

“It’s a lesson to be learned,” Scurry told The Associated Press report. “We learned that we need to pressure from the very beginning, no matter who we’re playing against.”

After halftime, U.S. Coach April Heinrichs moved midfielder Kristine Lilly ’93 from midfield to front-line, putting her at forward with Mia Hamm ’94 and Abby Wambach. The strategy was successful, it threw off the Brazilians and offered the Americans more goal making opportunities, according to The Associated Press.

After a yellow card foul by Brazilian defender Monica against Abby Wambach, Mia Hamm shot a goal by the Brazilian goalkeeper in the 58th minute of the game. The goal was the 153rd of Hamm’s career. She has more than any other player – man or woman – in international play, according to NBCOlympics.com.

Wambach scored her 16th goal in her last 17 international games in the 78th minute. But, due to her second yellow card, Wambach will not play in Tuesday’s game against Australia.

Rising UNC junior, Lindsay Tarpley, who had the assist on Wambach’s goal, entered the game early in the 57th minute.

After the game Brazilian defender Aline and forward Kelly, were taken to the hospital. Aline had a minor injury, but Kelly suffered a broken right shoulder blade.

The U.S. is 17-1-1 against Brazil, with the only loss seven years ago, according to NBCOlympics.com.

The U.S. received two yellow cards during the game, one to Wambach and the second went to Christie Rampone.

The U.S. will win in its group if it doesn’t lose by more than two goals to Australia.
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Game One

In the first competition of the 2004 Athens Games, the U.S. women’s soccer team won 3-0 against Greece in Pankritio Stadium on Aug. 11.

Mia Hamm ’94 assisted on the first goal and scored the third. In the 14th minute, Hamm centered a pass to Shannon Boxx for the first goal of the game.

The U.S. scored again in the 30th minute when defender Kate Markgraf found Abby Wambach, who launched the ball past Greek goalkeeper Maria Giatrakis.

In the 82nd minute, Hamm wove past two Greek defenders to make a goal that was tipped by Giatrakis before deflecting off the left post. It was the 152nd of Hamm’s career.

Midfielder Kristine Lilly ’93 attempted to make a goal early in the game, but it was tipped right by Giatrakis.

The next game for the women is against Brazil.

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