Last

weekend was a big weekend for women's soccer, as the U.S.

women's team defeated China for the World Cup. The World

Cup affected other women's soccer games though,

especially the games of our local W-League team, the

Atlanta Classics.

The

Classics, currently 7-4 and in second place in the

Southern Conference, went on a North Carolina road trip

last weekend to face the defending champion Raleigh Wings

and the Charlotte Speed.

Friday's

match pitted the Classics against their rivals, the

Wings. Canada's early departure from the World Cup proved

detrimental to Atlanta's chances, as Silvana Burtini,

Canada's leading scorer returned to the W-League and

scored two goals, helping defeat the Classics 4-1. The

Classics only trailed 2-1 with 10 minutes remaining in

the game but Raleigh's keeper, Siri Mullinix made several

key saves to thwart Atlanta.

The lone

goal from the Classics was scored by Kerry Gragg and

assisted by Jenny Crawford.

Sunday's

game with Charlotte had much more pleasing results. Kerry

Gragg scored twice and the University of Georgia's

all-time leading goal scorer, Mandy Aiken, scored once,

as the Classics defeated the Speed, 3-2. Despite the fact

that they trailed 3-0 at the half, Charlotte produced two

goals in the final 13 minutes to get the Classics paces

racing.

The

Classics have a narrow hold on second place over the

Tampa Bay Extreme with three games remaining in the

season. If they can keep winning, the Classics should

host the Southern Conference Final on August 7.

The road

will be tough though, as several World Cup players will

return to their W-League teams. Atlanta travels to

Florida this weekend to take on the Jacksonville Jade.

Their next home game will be on Saturday, July 24, when

they host the Charlotte Speed at 7:30 p.m. at Adams

Stadium. Call 770-TRY-FOOT for tickets.

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