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August 13, 2003
WUSA
2003 awards finalists
Most Valuable
Player
Goes to the
player judged to have had the greatest impact on her team's performance
during the regular season.
MVP finalists
Mia Hamm Washington
F/M Led the WUSA in scoring (33 pts.- tied) and assists (11)
Maren Meinert
Boston F/M WUSA all-time leading scorer (81 pts.) was the All-Star
Game MVP
Abby Wambach
Washington F Led the WUSA in scoring (33 pts.- tied) in sophomore
season
Coach of
the year
Goes to the
head coach that developed a team performing at exceptional levels
and demonstrating an attractive and engaging style of play.
Finalists
Tom Sermanni
New York Guided team to a 7-9-5 record in first season after
a 3-17-1 mark in 2002
Tom Stone
Atlanta Stone is the all-time WUSA leader in wins (30) and points
(106)
Pia Sundhage
Boston Led Breakers to the WUSA regular season title -- 10-4-7
(37 pts.)
Defender
of the year
Goes to the
midfield or defender with key defensive responsibilities exemplifying
an outstanding ability to defend the top attacking players in
the WUSA. Goalkeepers are not eligible.
Finalists
Joy Fawcett
San Diego D Anchored a defense that improved from 7th to 2nd
in GAA in one year
Jennifer Grubb
Washington D Played every minute of every game in three seasons
- 5,850 minutes
Sharolta Nonen
Atlanta D Canadian national team standout led WUSA's stingiest
defense
Goalkeeper
of the Year
Goes to the
player who regularly exemplifies outstanding saves and consistently
controls her penalty area and defensive zone. She must repeatedly
demonstrates the ability to come up with key saves during a game.
Nominees were not restricted by statistics. Key saves in important
games are a trademark of this goalkeeper, with the team's success
also an important factor.
Finalists
Karina LeBlanc
Boston GK Canadian national team starter led the WUSA with 91
saves
Siri Mullinix
Washington GK Led the WUSA with 89 catch/punches and finished
third with 74 saves
Briana Scurry
Atlanta GK Led the WUSA in save percentage (79.5), GAA (0.95)
and shutouts (7)
Referee
of the year
Goes to the
referee judged to be the best overall official in the regular
season.
Finalists
Sandra Hunt,
Bellingham, Washington Won the 2001 WUSA Referee of the Year
award
Erich Simmons,
Boston, Massachusetts Works both the WUSA and MLS ... regular
job is a private investigator
Terry Vaughn,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Works both the WUSA and MLS ... works for
home security company
Rookie
player of the year
Goes to the
player judged to be the best first-year player who has no prior
playing experience at the Division I professional level and/or
has completed her college or high school eligibility within the
last year.
Finalists
Maribel Dominguez
Atlanta F Mexican national team star had seven goals and four
assists
Christine
Latham San Diego F Canadian national team forward had six goals
and three assists
Aly Wagner
San Diego M U.S. national team playmaker helped lead Spirit to
the playoffs
Humanitarian
of the Year
Goes to the
team member who demonstrates exemplary community involvement.
It is the only 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.
Finalists
Jenny Benson
Philadelphia D Involved in many activities, including the Gia
Nicole Angel Fund
Nel Fettig
Carolina D Regular volunteer with the Starlight Children's Foundation
Jaime Pagilarulo
San Diego GK Works with at-risk children through the Joy of Sports
Foundation
Executive
of the Year
Goes to the
general manager or team front office member for their 2003 performance.
Finalists
Katy Button,
GM Washington WUSA attendance leader ... in playoffs for second
consecutive year
Joe Cummings,
GM Boston Hired new coach and team won WUSA regular season crown
Scott Travasos,
GM Carolina Managed successful Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game at
SAS Stadium
Team Community
Service award
Goes to the
organization that clearly stands out for its dedication and activity
within the club's local community.
Finalists
Boston Breakers
New York Power
San Jose CyberRays
Team Fair
Play award
Goes to the
club with the fewest penalty points during the regular season.
Disciplinary letters also factor into the final decision.
Finalists
Boston Breakers
Carolina Courage
Philadelphia
Charge
Goal of
the Year
An annual
award given to the player whose goal is judged to be the best
overall goal during the regular season. There are five Goal of
the Year finalists. WUSA fans will select the winner by going
to WUSA.com to pick the league's best goal of 2003.
Finalists
Maribel Dominguez,
Atlanta April 12 Juked two Boston defenders and blasted it by
Boston 'keeper Karina LeBlanc
Marinette
Pichon, Philadelphia May 17 Cracked a one-time, half-volley shot
past New York goalkeeper Carly Smolak
Melanie Hoffmann,
Philadelphia June 7 Cracked a half-volley past diving San Diego
goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo
Conny Pohlers,
Atlanta July 12 Beats two defenders and slices shot through another
defender's legs to score
Christine
Latham, San Diego July 15 Scored on a dipping, half-volley from
just outside the penalty area
Abby Wambach,
Washington July 19 Hammered home a header as her body was parallel
with the ground
WUSA will
have an All-WUSA first and second team in 2003.
Awards
based on statistics
Scoring
Champion
Goes to the
player who registers the most points (goals + assists) during
the regular season.
Washington
Freedom forwards Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach were Co-Scoring Champions
in 2003 with 33 points each.
Golden
Boot
Goes to the
player who scores the most goals during the regular season.
Boston Breakers
forward Dagny Mellgren and Philadelphia Charge forward Marinette
Pichon were Co-Golden Boot award winners as each player scored
14 goals.
Playmaker
of the Year
Goes to the
player who registers the most assists during the regular season.
Washington
Freedom forward Mia Hamm was the 2003 WUSA Playmaker of the Year
with 11 assists.
___________________
On August
24st. in San Diego, the Founders Cup trophy will be awarded to
the championship team and the Founders Cup Most Valuable Player
presented by Hyundai will be given to the top player in the title
game.
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