|
August 21, 2002
WUSA
awards of 2002
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 (in
the United States perhaps) Frenchwoman (Marinette Pichon) to lead
the club to an 11-4-6 record (39 pts).
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. The
Dartmouth product was the only Courage player to play every minute
(1,890) during the 2002 regular season.
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.
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. She was judged to be the best overall
official in the WUSA during the regular season consistently displaying
an understanding of the rules of the game and a consistent application
of the rules.
|
