The Atlanta

Classics headed to the W-League national tournament last

weekend with revenge on their minds.

Last year,

their season ended with a 2-1 loss to the Raleigh Wings

in the finals. This year, the Classics led the league

with goals and points. The team had to be thinking that

this may be their time.

Unfortunately

an NCAA rule left the Classics very shorthanded and

missing much of their offensive firepower and defensive

stability. The rule states that once the collegiate

pre-season begins, players are not permitted to compete

on outside teams. The Classics lost seven players to the

rule and suited up only 12.

Among those

missing were leading scorer Jenny Crawford, Laura Lauter,

midfielder Julie Augustyniak and her sister Nancy

Augustyniak, Kim Szurovy, Katherine Horney, and

goalkeeper Sarah Crawford.

The

Classics faced the undefeated Chicago Cobras Friday night

and were down only 2-1 at the half. The goal from Atlanta

came from midfielder Sara Burkett. Amy Rudge kept the

Classics in the game until the 73rd minute when Chicago

erupted for two more goals. One of the goals came from

Canadian National Team star Charmaine Hooper.

"It's

disappointing to lose," said Classics coach Michael

Sabatelle. "But under the circumstances, missing all

those players, I think we played very well and hung in

there as long as we could."

The

Classics played again Sunday against the Maryland Pride

in the third place game.

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