Sunday, September 21, 2003

W-League alumni Kristine Lilly helped lead the US to a 3-1 win over Sweden with a goal and former W-1 Rookie of the Year Kelly Golebiowski scored for Australia in a 2-1 loss to Russia in today's action. Northern Virginia Majestics defender Elizabeth Baidu helped Ghana hold heavily-favored China to a narrow 1-0 win in Los Angeles.

Former Delaware Genies player Kristine Lilly helped lead the United States to the win in the first match of their title defense with the opening tally of the game in the 27th minute. Former Sacramento Storm player Brandi Chastain went out at halftime with a broken bone in her foot and is out for the remainder of the first round at least. Goalkeeper Briana Scurry, a teammate of Lilly's with Delaware, started for the US after serving as the back-up in the 2000 Olympics. Mia Hamm recorded assists on all three goals and now ranks as the all-time Women's World Cup assist leader with 11.
FIFA Game Summary: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/match/5/index.html

Katia became the fifth player in the tournament to score twice in leading Brazil to a win in Group B play. FIFA Game Summary: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/match/6/index.html

W-1 2001 Rookie of the Year with the Hampton Roads Piranhas Kelly Golebiowski scored the opening marker to give the Matildas the lead in the 38th minute only to see her teammate Dianne Alagich put the ball in the back of their own net a minute later to pull Russia level. Heading toward a draw, the Russians surprised Australia with an 89th minute strike from Elena Fomina.
FIFA Game Summary: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/match/7/index.html

Northern Virginia Majestics defender Elizabeth Baidu helped lead Ghana, the lowest ranked nation in the tournament at 52, to an inspired performance in a 1-0 loss to China, who defeated Ghana, 7-0, in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. Former New York Magic goalkeeper Memunatu Sulemana made several brilliant saves in shutting down the 1999 runner's-up to the United States, allowing just one goal - a header from Sun Wen, who had a hat-trick in their 1999 meeting and now ranks second in all-time Women's World Cup scoring with 11 goals. She trails Michelle Akers by one.
FIFA Game Summary: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/match/8/index.html

First Round Group Standings: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/group/index.html