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(August 21, 2002)
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WUSA Announces Six
Award Winners
ATLANTA GA (August 21, 2002) With only
four days remaining until Founders Cup II at Herndon Stadium in Atlanta,
(televised live on PAX at 4:00 p.m. ET), the Women's United Soccer
Association today announced the recipients of the Coach of the Year,
Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Goal of the Year
Humanitarian of the Year and Referee of the Year.
* Coach of the Year - Mark Krikorian -
Philadelphia Charge
* Goalkeeper of the Year - Kristin Luckenbill - Carolina Courage
* Rookie of the Year - Abby Wambach - Washington Freedom
* Goal of the Year - Katia - San Jose CyberRays
* Humanitarian of the Year - Sissi - San Jose CyberRays
* Referee of the Year - Kari Seitz
Coach of the Year - Mark Krikorian -
Philadelphia Charge
Philadelphia Charge Head Coach Mark Krikorian was the recipient of the
2002 WUSA Coach of the Year award for his club's regular season
performance. Once again, Krikorian overcame the skeptics and guided the
Charge to its second consecutive postseason appearance and a
second-place finish in the WUSA standings. Most reporters pegged
Philadelphia as a middle of the pack team heading into the 2002 season.
In his second season as head coach of the Charge, Krikorian overcame the
loss of his best player (Kelly Smith) and relied on an unknown
Frenchwoman (Marinette Pichon) to lead the club to an 11-4-6 record (39
pts).
The WUSA Coach of the Year award goes
to the head coach that has developed a team that has performed to
exceptional levels and demonstrates an attractive and engaging style of
play during the regular season. WUSA coaches, general managers, players
and members of the media voted for the Coach of the Year.
Goalkeeper of the Year - Kristin
Luckenbill - Carolina Courage
Carolina Courage goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill captured the 2002 WUSA
Goalkeeper of the Year award. The Paoli, PA product led all WUSA
goalkeepers with 12 wins and 114 saves while ranking second in winning
percentage (66.7). Her outstanding performance in net was instrumental
in the Courage capturing the 2002 WUSA regular season championship.
Coming off a 2001 season in which the
Courage finished with a 6-12-3 mark (21 pts.), Luckenbill led Carolina
from a worst-to-first turnaround in 2002. The co-Player of the Month for
April became the first 'keeper in WUSA history to record more than 100
saves in a single season. On April 27, Luckenbill recorded a then-WUSA-record
12 saves versus San Jose to capture the Player of the Week honors for
the week ending April 28. Her 12 victories in 2002 set a new
league-record for wins in a season. The Dartmouth product was the only
Courage player to play every minute (1,890) during the 2002 regular
season.
The Goalkeeper of the Year is an annual
award given to the player who regularly exemplifies outstanding saves
and consistently controls her penalty area and defensive zone. She
repeatedly demonstrates the ability to come up with key saves during the
game. Nominees were not restricted by statistics. Key saves in important
games are a trademark of this goalkeeper, although, the team's success
is not an overvalued factor in this award. WUSA coaches, general
managers, players and members of the media each cast votes for this
award.
Rookie of the Year - Abby Wambach - Washington Freedom
Abby Wambach proved that the transition between college and professional
soccer can be a successful one as the Washington Freedom forward earned
the 2002 WUSA Rookie of the Year award. The 22-year-old Wambach finished
tied for fourth in the WUSA in scoring (10g, 9a, 29 pts.) in 2002 to
help the Freedom to its first-ever playoff berth. The second pick
overall in the 2002 WUSA Draft began playing her best soccer toward the
end of the regular season when she started to creatively take on players
and generate scoring opportunities.
Washington's leading scorer, Wambach
was tied for seventh in goal scoring and tied for fifth in assists
during the 2002 regular season. The University of Florida product was
named the WUSA Player of the Week for week five after recording her
first WUSA goal and creating a penalty kick versus San Diego on May 5.
The 5-foot-10 Wambach began her WUSA career recording a goal or an
assist in five consecutive games. Leading all first-year players in
scoring, the native of Rochester, N.Y. ranked among the top 10 in league
scoring for most of the 2002 season.
The Rookie of the Year goes to the
player judged by WUSA coaches, general managers, players and members of
the media to be the best first-year player who has no prior playing
experience at the professional level and/or has completed her college or
high school eligibility within the last year.
Goal of the Year - Katia - San Jose
CyberRays
With a 19 percent increase in scoring from last season, the WUSA had its
share of outstanding goals during the 2002 campaign. Brazilian striker
Katia of the San Jose CyberRays provided the most electrifying goal in
2002, earning the league's Goal of the Year award. On June 9 in a 3-1
win over San Diego, Katia's second goal of the game earned her the honor
for top goal in the WUSA. Pretinha started the play in the 35th minute
when she chipped a ball from the right flank to Katia, who collected the
ball in the air and hammered in an amazing volley from a steep angle
into the far post. The Brazilian's ability to collect the pass and
generate a shot before the ball hit the ground brought CyberRays fans to
their feet. Fans selected the WUSA Goal of the Year by voting on
WUSA.com.
Humanitarian of the Year - Sissi - San
Jose CyberRays
San Jose CyberRays midfielder Sissi is the recipient of the 2002 WUSA
Humanitarian of the Year award for her work with Julius, a sixth-grade
cancer patient in the Bay Area. The Humanitarian of the Year award
recognizes the player who demonstrates exemplary community involvement.
It is the only WUSA award that does not recognize a player for her
actions on the playing field, but for her ability to go above and beyond
the call to contribute in her community. WUSA coaches, general managers,
players and members of the media voted for the Humanitarian of the Year.
Referee of the Year- Kari Seitz
San Mateo, CA resident Kari Seitz was honored as the 2002 WUSA Referee
of the Year. Seitz, who is currently officiating the inaugural Under 19
Women's World Championships, was judged as the best referee by WUSA
coaches, general managers, players, U.S. Soccer and members of the
media. A two-year veteran of the WUSA, Seitz refereed the Women's World
Cup in 1999. The Referee of the Year is awarded to the official judged
to be the best overall official in the WUSA during the regular season.
This individual consistently displays an understanding of the rules of
the game and a consistent application of the rules.
WUSA AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT SCHEDULE
Tue. Aug. 20 - Coach of the Year,
Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year,
Referee of the Year, Goal of the Year
Wed., Aug. 21 - Offensive Player of the
Year, Defensive Player of the Year, All-WUSA First and Second team, Team
Community Service award, Team Fair Play award, Executive of the Year
Thur., Aug. 22 - Most Valuable Player
[Source: Dan Courtemanche, (678)
645-0757, www.WUSA.com, Paul Dodson - (678) 645-0764, WUSA
Communications]
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