Philadelphia Charge forward Marinette Pichon was named the Women's United Soccer Association Player of the Week for her efforts in the Charge's 3-1 win over the New York Power on Sunday, July 7.
Pichon, who recorded her first career hat trick in the win, garnered 13 first-place and three second-place votes for 29 points to lead all nominees for the honor. She finished 15 points ahead of second-place finisher Julie Foudy of San Diego to earn the award for the second time this season. Pichon also won the award for her efforts in Week 7.
After a scoreless 76 minutes on Sunday, the French national team standout snuck behind the New York defense and ran onto a pretty chip from Heather Mitts to beat Power goalkeeper Saskia Webber. Just 76 seconds later, Pichon put Philadelphia up 2-0 when she scored off an opportunistic rebound off the crossbar. Finally, in the first minute of stoppage time, Pichon sealed the victory for Philadelphia with her WUSA-leading 12th goal of the season. Lorrie Fair bent a ball that landed at the feet of Pichon in the six-yard box, and the French star's precise shot into the lower right corner beat Webber. Pichon registered nine shots on the evening, including five on goal.
The WUSA's June Player of the Month has scored 12 of the Charge's 26 goals and five of the club's last six. Her four multiple-goal games tie the WUSA season record set by New York's Tiffeny Milbrett last year. The fleet-footed Frenchwoman leads the WUSA in total points (25), goals (12) and hat tricks (tied with 1). The rookie also ranks as the Charge's all-time leading scorer with 25 points and averages one goal every 76.9 minutes, which is more frequent than any other player in league history.
Philadelphia next takes to the turf on Sunday, July 14 at 4 p.m. in Washington when it takes on the Freedom and looks to extend an eight-game unbeaten streak (5-0-3).
Player of the Week voting
1. Marinette Pichon 13-3=29
2. Julie Foudy 2-10=14
3. Hege Riise 2-0=4
4. Emmy Barr 0-4=4
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