Charge Remain Undefeated in 3-1 Win over Washington

The WUSA's (Women's United Soccer Association) most familiar player, Mia Hamm, could only watch as the hometown Philadelphia Charge remained undefeated (4-0-0) following an impressive 3-1 over the Washington Freedom (2-3-0) in front of 8,185 fans at Villanova Stadium and a national television audience. Hamm, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on her left femur in February, has yet to be cleared to play by team physicians. Even without Hamm, the Freedom came to town with the league's second leading scorer in Monica Gerardo (2G, 1A). There is no letdown because she [Hamm] won't be playing, said Charge coach Mark Krikorian, we'll play the team that shows up. And that they did. Charge goalkeeper Melissa Moore stopped six of seven shots, while the offense provided her with a comfortable 2-0 lead going into the second half. A pair of goals by Erin Martin (her first two of the season) at the 27 and 39 minute marks, respectively, put Philadelphia on top and they would never look back. Starting in place of Marinette Pichon, Martin took a long cross from Lorrie Fair and nailed it past Freedom goalie Dawn Greathouse for her first of the season. Eleven minutes later, taking the cross from Kelly Smith, Martin's tap put the Charge on top 2-0. Moore's goaltending kept Washington from seriously threatening. Great saves on shots from Washington's Abby Wambach and Jacqui Little kept Washington off the board in the first half. Philadelphia made the score 3-0 when Kelly Smith scored her third goal of the season at the 88 minute mark. Taking the pass from Mary-Frances Monroe (who replaced Erin Martin 12 minutes earlier) with the Freedom defenders backpedaling, Smith let go of a fifteen yard strike that Greathouse had no chance to stop. On her third shot of the game, Washington's Abby Wambach ruined Moore's shutout just following Philadelphia's third goal. But the Philadelphia defense limited Washington to one more shot and Philadelphia walked away with sole possession of first place.

Philadelphia's four consecutive wins constitutes the longest winning streak is WUSA history. Riding Moore's personal career high four game winning streak and a goals-against-average (GAA) of 1.00 and the Charge offense which has outscored their opponents 11-4, the Charge remain on top of the league. The Charge take on the San Diego Spirit on June 1, 2002 at Villanova Stadium The first 5,000 fans receive a colorful Charge Team Photograph.

The Philadelphia Charge plays nine more games at Villanova Stadium. To order your season tickets, Fan/Family packs, group tickets, and or birthday packages, call the Charge ticket office at 215.467.GOAL. You can also order single game tickets by calling Ticketmaster at 215.336.2000 or 856.338.9000 or 302.984.2000.