Visalia Times-Delta from Visalia, California • 12

Sports 4B Visalia Times-Delta Monday, October 13, 2003 Germany wins women's World Cup in overtime tin: U.S. women take third place with 3-1 victory over Canada The Associated Press CARSON Somewhere on the bottom of the pile of women in white jerseys was a most unlikely hero. Germany won the Women's World Cup for the first time, 2-1 over Sweden on Nia Kuenzer's header in the eighth minute of overtime Sunday. A substitute who came on 10 minutes earlier, Kuen-zer soared high to deflect Renate Lingor's long free kick over the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Caroline Joensson, who was brilliant all day. The German players mobbed her and rolled together on the ground, while Sweden's beaten players lay motionless and stunned.

"I was confused," Kuenzer said of her momentous goal. "I wasn't sure what happened, and then my teammates are jumping on top of me and we are all on the ground." Kuenzer, in her 30th game with the national team, came on with only two minutes remaining in reg-ulatioa She got an earlier chance in overtime that was denied, but her header moments later was true. "Every soccer player dreams of scoring the deciding goal in the World Cup," she said through an interpreter. "But expect it?" She vigorously shook her head and laughed. "No." Swedish coach Marika Domankis Lyfors expressed pride in both teams, but was livid with referee Floarea Ionescu's awarding of the free kick that Kuenzer converted.

"It's harder to lose when it's not fair," said Lyfors, who berated Ionescu on the field. "It wasn't a free kick and everyone saw it. I don't know how she could call it." The German women added a world crown to the three Germany's men have won. They beat the defending champion United States 3-0 in the semifinals, but struggled mightily to edge Swedea The result was similar to a German overtime win for the European Championship in 2001. "These are two very equal teams," Germany coach Tina The-une-Meyer said.

"I think Sweden will be a strong team for many years." Much of the announced crowd of 26437 it appeared to be several thousand less was decidedly pro-Swedea The fans cheered and chanted for the Swedes even as the entire German team stood Hamm, who set up the winning goal by Shannon Boxx with a corner kick. 'To anyone who thought we would not be at our best, this was a good answer." After losing to Germany in the semifinals, the Americans vowed they would take the third-place game very seriously. Before 25,253 at the Home Depot Center where Sweden plays Germany for the title Sunday the United States dominated the second half against one of soccer's rising nations. "Obviously this is not where we wanted to be," said Lilly, who scored the first goal "But this is where our destiny ended. We started strong and we ended strong.

We wanted to end this World Cup with awia" They did because they never backed down against the young, physical Canadians. Hamm's perfect twisting corner kick was headed home by Boxx in the 52nd minute. It was the goal for the U.S. womea Then Hamm, soccer's all-time leading goal-scorer who has become a terrific playmaker, made a quick restart in the 80th. Her feed eventually found its way to Hffeny Milbrett in the penalty area and she scored to improve the U.S.

record against Canada to 26-3-3. half, the Germans came out strong and scored just a minute into the second period. Birgit Prinz, voted the tournament's outstanding player, sent a pass to the right wing to Meinert, who had three steps on the defense. Her right-footed shot from 15 yards glanced offjoensson and into the net. "That goal was a big lift for us, coming so soon," Prinz said.

Joensson had to be sharp to barely tip Wiegmann's shot in the 57th. Five minutes later, Pia Wunderlich put a shot wide with half the net gaping in front of her. And with 15 minutes to go in reg-ulation, Meinert spun and unleashed a wicked shot that Joensson just deflected off the crossbar. United States 3, Canada 1 Third-Place Game CARSON With third place in the World Cup secured, Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly did what they nearly always do: lead. Key components in the United States' 3-1 victory over Canada on Saturday, Hamm and Lilly led their teammates to each sideline, clapping their hands above their heads, waving, throwing kisses, even pounding their hearts.

"We never gave up, we played the entire time and it is a credit to our leadership and our team," said I The Associated Press Germany's Martina Mueller, left, Nia Kuenzer, and Birgit Prinz celebrate after beating Sweden, 2-1 in the 2003 Women's World Cup Final soccer match Sunday in Carson. Kuenzer scored the game-winning goal in overtime. mann said, the gold medal dangling over her No. 10 jersey. "Yes, it is the perfect ending." The Germans committed five players to the attack in the second half and it paid off with an early goal and a half-dozen superb chances.

After a somewhat listless first on a podium, jumping up and down as the championship medals were awarded. German captain Bettina Wieg-mann and star forward Maren Meinert played in their final game for their country and both were outstanding. "This is my greatest day," Wieg- Stewart closing disappointing season strong Saturday, Oct. 18th, 7pm at Holiday Inn Visalia What college coaches look for in a student athlete How the recruiting process works The new requirements for student-athlete eligibility The myths of college recruiting The importance of academics in the recruiting process Athletic Scholarships and other financial aid opportunities College recruiting timelines The Associated Press CONCORD, N.C. His term as Winston Cup champion has been uncharacteristically calm and quiet, and the trips to Victory Lane for Tony Stewart have been few.

Even Stewart admits his reign at the top of NASCAR has been a bust But he's doing his best to close out the run with a bang. Stewart scored only his second victory of the season Saturday night, chasing down Ryan Newman over the final stretch to win at Lowe's Motor Speedway. His appearance in Victory Lane was the 17th of his career, but first since June. "Its been harder to accept the disappointments this year," Stewart said. "But knowing that we won the championship last year, and knowing that there were so many changes in our program you kind of just have to bite your tongue and go on" Even harder for him to swallow is when the No.

20 Chevrolet was capable of winning, only to come up short because of a bad set of tires or the inability to stretch his fuel as long as others. Newman has mastered the art in the majority of his series-best eight wins this year. But in a sign of maturity for one of NAS CAR's notorious boys remember, Stewart punched a photographer last season to add to his long list of off-track dramatics Stewart has been the one keeping the peace within his Joe Gibbs Racing team. When Gibbs and car owner Greg Zipadelli have been livid over mechanical failures, Stewart has been the surprising voice of reason "The biggest variable is just trying to find the positives in all the negatives," he said. 'Joe and Zippy were trying to keep me calm last year, but I've been the guy trying to keep everyone calm this year." Stewart undoubtedly had the best car in the field, leading six times for a race-high 149 laps.

But as the race neared its ending, Newman was again out front and in position for yet another wia Because of a vibration in his car, Newman had to pit much earlier than everyone else. It put him back in the pack, but in position to take over the lead once the rest of the field made its scheduled stops. For more information call: Bill Harrison Bobby Holland Director of College Recruiting Area Seoul 1-800-763-6025 (559) 786-5070 billhcsaprepstar.com prcpstart3sbcglobal.net Quality Sports Medicine 1 IOIm BE 1H3 (LP El) (La EE XSEEBffiSr ismMLL mmmm? Combined 3 5 Years of Visalia Sports On-Field Experience Team Physicians: i TO Redwood High School he contestant who correctly guesses the most winners will receive the $100 week ly prize, a Demy Breakfast Certificate, and a pizza from Domino's. In the event of a College of the TBsaaMM tie, the tiebreaker will be used. The tiebreaker winner is the person who is closest to guessing the total points in Monday night's game.

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