| 2 former Piranhas bring WUSA success stories home to Va. Beach By HARRY MINIUM, The Virginian-Pilot © May 2, 2003 VIRGINIA BEACH — Mia Hamm, the most recognized name in women’s soccer, will be the center of attention when the Washington Freedom takes on the Hampton Roads Piranhas tonight at 7 in an exhibition at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. But for Piranhas owner Marcie Laumann, the real stars of tonight’s game will be Freedom midfielder Kelly Golebiowski and defender Carrie Moore. That’s because both are former Piranhas who are living examples of the dream Laumann and head coach John Germanos sell when recruiting players. Come play for our W-League team, they say. We can’t pay you, but we’ll get you a job and a place to live and give you a shot at moving up to the WUSA. In the three years since the WUSA came into existence, nine Pirahnas have made the jump to the highest level of women’s pro soccer in America. Golebiowski’s venture to Virginia Beach two years ago was a gamble for both her and the Piranhas. She was a 19-year-old soccer phenom from Sydney, Australia, who was recommended to Germanos by Amy Taylor, another Australian the Piranhas were recruiting. “They took me without seeing me play,” Golebiowski said. She came hoping to move up to the WUSA, even though the American league has a strict quota on foreigners. Yet, after leading the Piranhas in scoring the last two seasons, she was signed by the Freedom. “I saw her do things with the ball I never saw anybody else do,” Laumann said. Golebiowski missed the Freedom’s first two games while playing with the Australian national team, but returned to score the game-tying goal, on an assist from Hamm, in a 1-1 tie with Atlanta last weekend. That left the Freedom (3-0-1) as the WUSA’s only unbeaten. Moore took a more traditional route to the WUSA. After playing on four Colonial Athletic Association champions at William and Mary, she wanted to stay in Hampton Roads and play for the best soccer team available, so she contacted Laumann. After a season with the Piranhas, Moore became the 106th pick in the inaugural WUSA draft. She has since become one of the league’s top defenders. “Carrie really set the standard last year for what a one vs. one defender can be in this league,” Freedom coach Jim Gaberra said. Life has changed dramatically for Golebiowski. A year ago, she worked full-time at a Virginia Beach soccer store, advising 10-year-olds on what equipment to buy. While she’s not exactly getting rich on her WUSA salary, her full-time job now is playing soccer. And she’s playing in front of large crowds and often on national television. Many WUSA players dread exhibitions against W-League teams. But this is one Golebiowski and Moore have been eagerly anticipating. Laumann said more than 2,000 tickets have been sold for the game. “We’re all looking forward to playing against the Piranhas, to see Virginia Beach again and give the fans there a chance to watch us play,” Moore said. For Golebiowski, the trip will be a sentimental journey. “I came there not knowing a soul, having to adjust to a new team, a new country,” she said. “We didn’t get paid a wage, but they looked after us in every other aspect. “For some players, an exhibition like this might seem like a step down. But I just came from that team. I’m excited to go back and play, to see all the guys and girls back there, to play in my old stadium again.” Reach Harry Minium at 446-2371 or at hminium@pilotonline.com |
 |