Gators in the 2004 Olympics--Monday, August 23, 2004
Monday, August 23, 2004 | General
Wambach Adds Assist in U.S.'s 2-1 OT Olympic Win vs. Germany
Heraklio, Greece - Former University of Florida standout Abby Wambach assisted on the first goal in the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team's 2-1 Olympic semifinal overtime win over Germany Monday in the Heraklio Stadium. Another former Gator on the U.S. roster, Heather Mitts, did not play Monday.
The win advances the U.S. to the Olympic final match versus the winner of the Brazil versus Sweden match that will be contested later Monday. The victory avenges a 3-0 loss to the Germans 11 months ago in the 2003 World Cup semifinal in Portland, Ore. Germany entered the Olympics ranked No. 1 in the world.
The U.S. scored first in the 32nd minute when Wambach's one-touch pass in the box found Kristine Lilly, who turned in her third goal in as many matches. Germany tied the match with Isabell Bachor's goal in stoppage time, forcing the match to two 15-minute overtime periods. Heather O'Reilly, a rising sophomore for North Carolina, hit the game-winner for the U.S. in the 99th minute off the assist from Mia Hamm.
Wambach is the Gators' career leader in goals (96), assists (50) and points (242) and stands sixth on the NCAA Career charts in goals and points. She earned National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) All-America first-team honors in 1999 and 2001. She is a four-time member of the All-Southeastern Conference first team and picked up the SEC Player of the Year award in 2000 and '01.
The U.S. team will travel to Athens in preparation for the Olympic final match on Thursday, Aug. 26. That match kicks off at 6 p.m. local / 11 a.m. ET and will be broadcast live on NBC.
| U.S. Women's National Team Game Report |
| Match-up: USA vs. Germany |
| Competition: 2004 Olympics – Semifinal |
| Venue: Heraklio Stadium; Heraklio, Greece |
| Date: August 23, 2004; Kickoff - 6 p.m. local / 11 a.m. ET |
| Scoring Summary: | |||||
|
| 1 | 2 | OT1 | OT2 | FINAL |
| USA | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| GERMANY | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| USA – Kristin Lilly (Abby Wambach) 32rd minute |
| GERMANY - Isabell Bachor 90th minute |
| USA – Heather O'Reilly (Mia Hamm) 99th |
| Statistical Summary: | ||
|
| USA | GERMANY |
| Shots: | 14 | 12 |
| Corner Kicks: | 6 | 5 |
| Yellow Cards | 4 | 1 |
| Offside: | 2 | 3 |
Scott Advances to Finals in Women's Hammer Throw
ATHENS, Greece -- Current Gator and four-time NCAA champion Candice Scott advanced to the finals with a clutch throw on her last attempt in the hammer throw on Monday at the Athens Olympic Stadium.
Scott (Trinidad & Tobago) secured the 12th and final spot in the finals with a mark of 68.27m/223-11 on her third and final attempt. After posting a mark of 66.97 on her second throw, Scott, who was the next-to-last thrower, improved by more than a meter to move past Croatia's Ivana Brkljacic (68.21m) for the final position.
"I'm really excited and proud of the way Candice fought through the adversity," said Florida associate track and field head coach Larry Judge, who is serving as a coach for Trinidad & Tobago. "There was about half and hour in between each throw, which was very tough to deal with, but Candice came through with a really clutch throw at the end."
2004 U.S. Olympic Trials champion and former Gator Erin Gilreath also competed in the hammer, but did not advance to the finals after posting a top throw of 66.71m/218-10 on her first attempt.
"In 2000, her mark would have been good enough to make he finals," Judge said. "But Erin was consistent and gained some very valuable experience competing at such a prestigious meet."
The finals of the hammer throw are on Wednesday with track and field competition continuing at the Olympics through Aug. 29.
