2003 USL W-League Season
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The 2003 W-League Season was the 9th season of the
USL W-League USL W-League may refer to: * USL W League * USL W-League (1995–2015) The USL W-League was a North American amateur women's soccer developmental organization. The league was a semi-professional, open league, giving college players the oppor ...
, the second-highest division of
women's soccer Women's association football, more commonly known as women's football or women's soccer, is the team sport of association football played by women. It is played at the professional level in multiple countries, and about 200 national teams partic ...
in the
United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
. The
Boston Renegades Boston Renegades was an American women's soccer team, founded in 1995. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Northeast Divisio ...
were the defending champions. The Hampton Roads Piranhas were crowned champions after defeating the Chicago Cobras in the Championship game.


Changes from the 2002 season


Format changes

The league went to the standard
FIFA The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (), more commonly known by its acronym FIFA ( ), is the international self-regulatory governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal. It was founded on 21 May 1904 to o ...
match points format: 3 points for a win (down from the previous 4), 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss, and eliminated bonus points for 3 or more goals scored.


Name changes

One team changed their name in the off-season:


Expansion teams

One team joined the league ahead of the start of the season:


Teams leaving

Two teams left to join the WPSL: * Maryland Pride * Rhode Island Rays Eight teams folded after the 2002 season: *
Albuquerque Crush Albuquerque ( ; ), also known as ABQ, Burque, the Duke City, and in the past 'the Q', is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico, and the county seat of Bernalillo County. Founded in 1706 as ' by Santa Fe de Nuevo México gove ...
* Jacksonville Jade * Kansas City Mystics * Kentucky Fillies * Memphis Mercury * Oklahoma Outrage * Tampa Bay Xtreme * Texas Odyssey


Standings

''Blue indicates division title clinched''
''Green indicates playoff berth clinched''


Central Conference


Atlantic Division


Midwest Division


Eastern Conference


Northeast Division


Northern Division


Western Conference


Playoffs


Format

Four teams from both the Central and Eastern Conferences and two from the Western Conference qualified for the playoffs. All playoff matchups were in single-leg elimination tournament format with the higher seeded team hosting until the national semifinals. Seeding was determined by league record, with the
Boston Renegades Boston Renegades was an American women's soccer team, founded in 1995. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Northeast Divisio ...
seeded first with 39 points. The host of the national semifinals was determined by bids at the 2002 USL Annual General Meeting. In the Central and Eastern Conferences, the top two teams from each division played, and then divisional winners played for the conference championship and to advance to the national semifinals. The top two teams in the Western Conference, having only one division, played each other to advance to the semifinals. As hosts, the Hampton Roads Piranhas received a bye into the W-League national semifinals, with the third-place team from the Atlantic Division receiving a playoff berth. The W-League Championship final was televised live on Fox Sports World.


Conference Brackets

Central Conference Eastern Conference Western Conference


W-League Championship Bracket


Divisional Championships

---- ---- ----


Conference championships

---- ----


W-League Semifinals

----


W-League Third Place


W-League Championship


Season statistics

* Scoring Champion: Jeanette Akerlund (
Ottawa Fury Women Ottawa Fury Women was a Canadian women's soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2000, the team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team competed ...
) and
Kelly Parker Kelly Parker (born 8 March 1981) is a Canadian former soccer midfielder who last played for Atlanta Beat in Women's Professional Soccer. She was also a member of the Canadian national team from 2003 to 2012. Career Prior to joining SC Freibur ...
(
Ottawa Fury Women Ottawa Fury Women was a Canadian women's soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2000, the team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team competed ...
) (32 points) * Goal Scoring Champion: Jeanette Akerlund (
Ottawa Fury Women Ottawa Fury Women was a Canadian women's soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2000, the team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team competed ...
) and Carrie Kveton (
Boston Renegades Boston Renegades was an American women's soccer team, founded in 1995. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Northeast Divisio ...
) (14 goals) * Assist Leader:
Rhian Wilkinson Rhian Emilie Wilkinson (born May 12, 1982) is a Canadian professional soccer coach and former player, who currently coaches the Wales women's national team. She was previously the head coach of Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer Le ...
(
Ottawa Fury Women Ottawa Fury Women was a Canadian women's soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2000, the team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team competed ...
) (7 assists)


Top scorers


Top assists


Awards

* Most Valuable Player: Phebe Trotman (
Vancouver Whitecaps Women The Vancouver Whitecaps FC women was a Canadian soccer club based in Vancouver, British Columbia that played in the USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team was formed in 2001 under the name Van ...
) * Rookie of the Year: Stacey Stocco (
Boston Renegades Boston Renegades was an American women's soccer team, founded in 1995. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Northeast Divisio ...
) * Defender of the Year: Fanta Cooper ( Chicago Cobras) * Coach of the Year: Mike Nesci ( Chicago Cobras) * Goalkeeper of the Year: Meredith Flaherty ( Hampton Roads Piranhas) * Championship MVP:
Mercy Akide Mercy Joy Akide Udoh (; born 26 August 1975) is a Nigerian former footballer who played as a midfielder for the Nigeria women's national football team. Early life Mercy started playing football at the age of five with her oldest brother Seleipi ...
( Hampton Roads Piranhas) The W-League Championship All-Tournament Team was announced on August 10, 2003: F: Tina Frimpong (
Seattle Sounders Women Sound Football Club is an American women's soccer team in the Women's Premier Soccer League. Sound FC play its home games at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Washington, six miles south of downtown Seattle. The team was founded in 2000 as ...
), Kristen Graczyk ( Chicago Cobras),
Mercy Akide Mercy Joy Akide Udoh (; born 26 August 1975) is a Nigerian former footballer who played as a midfielder for the Nigeria women's national football team. Early life Mercy started playing football at the age of five with her oldest brother Seleipi ...
( Hampton Roads Piranhas)
M: Melissa Bennett (
Seattle Sounders Women Sound Football Club is an American women's soccer team in the Women's Premier Soccer League. Sound FC play its home games at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Washington, six miles south of downtown Seattle. The team was founded in 2000 as ...
), Florence Omagbemi ( Hampton Roads Piranhas), Darci Borski ( Hampton Roads Piranhas), Kelly Parker (
Ottawa Fury Women Ottawa Fury Women was a Canadian women's soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2000, the team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team competed ...
)
D: Jenna Szyluk ( Hampton Roads Piranhas), Fanta Cooper ( Chicago Cobras), Josha Krueger ( Chicago Cobras)
G: Meredith Flaherty ( Hampton Roads Piranhas)


All-League and All-Conference Teams

The All-Conference Teams were announced on August 1, 2003. The All-League Team was announced on August 4.


Central Conference

G: Meredith Flaherty ( Hampton Roads Piranhas) *
D: Fanta Cooper ( Chicago Cobras) *, Deanna Kriedel (
Charlotte Lady Eagles The Charlotte Eagles (formerly the Charlotte Lady Eagles) is an American women's soccer team that plays in the USL W League. Owned by Missionary Athletes International (MAI), it is a sister club to the namesake men's team, and the Southern ...
), Erin Showalter ( Cincinnati Ladyhawks)
M: Florence Omagbemi ( Hampton Roads Piranhas), Elizabeth Ramsey ( Chicago Cobras),
Julianne Sitch Julianne Marie Sitch (born September 18, 1983) is an American former professional soccer defender. She is currently head coach of the University of Denver women's soccer team. She was previously a coach for the Chicago Red Stars and head coach ...
( Chicago Cobras) *, Sarah Wall (
Columbus Lady Shooting Stars The Columbus Lady Shooting Stars were a W-League club based in Columbus, Ohio Columbus (, ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Ohio, most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 United S ...
)
F:
Mercy Akide Mercy Joy Akide Udoh (; born 26 August 1975) is a Nigerian former footballer who played as a midfielder for the Nigeria women's national football team. Early life Mercy started playing football at the age of five with her oldest brother Seleipi ...
( Hampton Roads Piranhas) *, Andrea Cunningham ( Cincinnati Ladyhawks), Annette Kent ( Windy City Bluez)


Eastern Conference

G: Meghan Frey (
Boston Renegades Boston Renegades was an American women's soccer team, founded in 1995. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Northeast Divisio ...
)
D: Linda Consolante (
Ottawa Fury Women Ottawa Fury Women was a Canadian women's soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2000, the team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team competed ...
), Francesca DeCristoforo ( Long Island Lady Riders) *, Caitlin Fisher (
Boston Renegades Boston Renegades was an American women's soccer team, founded in 1995. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Northeast Divisio ...
)
M: Sue Flamini ( New Jersey Stallions),
Kelly Parker Kelly Parker (born 8 March 1981) is a Canadian former soccer midfielder who last played for Atlanta Beat in Women's Professional Soccer. She was also a member of the Canadian national team from 2003 to 2012. Career Prior to joining SC Freibur ...
(
Ottawa Fury Women Ottawa Fury Women was a Canadian women's soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2000, the team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team competed ...
) *, Melissa Shulman ( Long Island Lady Riders), Stacey Stocco (
Boston Renegades Boston Renegades was an American women's soccer team, founded in 1995. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Northeast Divisio ...
) *
F: Jeanette Akerlund (
Ottawa Fury Women Ottawa Fury Women was a Canadian women's soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2000, the team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team competed ...
), Carrie Kveton (
Boston Renegades Boston Renegades was an American women's soccer team, founded in 1995. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Northeast Divisio ...
), Jessica Reifer (
New York Magic New York Magic is an American women's soccer team, founded in 1997. The team was an original member of United Women's Soccer from 2016-2017. They played in the USL W-League from 1997 until the league folded after the 2015 season. The team play ...
) *


Western Conference

G: Megan Miller (
Seattle Sounders Women Sound Football Club is an American women's soccer team in the Women's Premier Soccer League. Sound FC play its home games at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Washington, six miles south of downtown Seattle. The team was founded in 2000 as ...
)
D: Sasha Andrews (
Vancouver Whitecaps Women The Vancouver Whitecaps FC women was a Canadian soccer club based in Vancouver, British Columbia that played in the USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team was formed in 2001 under the name Van ...
) *, Shannon Forslund (
Seattle Sounders Women Sound Football Club is an American women's soccer team in the Women's Premier Soccer League. Sound FC play its home games at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Washington, six miles south of downtown Seattle. The team was founded in 2000 as ...
), Amy Gray Denver Lady Cougars
M: Kacy Beitel ( Denver Lady Cougars), Tara Kidwell ( Fort Collins Force),
Andrea Neil Andrea Neil (born October 26, 1971, in Vancouver, British Columbia) is a pioneer of women's soccer in Canada. Neil retired from the game after representing Canada more than any other Canadian player in history. With a career spanning 18 years she ...
(
Vancouver Whitecaps Women The Vancouver Whitecaps FC women was a Canadian soccer club based in Vancouver, British Columbia that played in the USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team was formed in 2001 under the name Van ...
), Tracey Spinelli ( Arizona Heatwave) *
F: Janelle Munnis (
Seattle Sounders Women Sound Football Club is an American women's soccer team in the Women's Premier Soccer League. Sound FC play its home games at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, Washington, six miles south of downtown Seattle. The team was founded in 2000 as ...
), Carolyn Theurer ( Denver Lady Cougars), Phebe Trotman (
Vancouver Whitecaps Women The Vancouver Whitecaps FC women was a Canadian soccer club based in Vancouver, British Columbia that played in the USL W-League, the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada. The team was formed in 2001 under the name Van ...
) * ''* denotes All-League player''


See also

* 2003 PDL Season


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:W-League 2003
2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...
Women A woman is an adult female human. Before adulthood, a female child or adolescent is referred to as a girl. Typically, women are of the female sex and inherit a pair of X chromosomes, one from each parent, and women with functional u ...
1 2003 in Canadian women's soccer