By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

The Atlanta Classics played its first home game of the season at DeKalb Memorial Stadium Saturday and got a spectacular 3-1 win over the Piedmont Spark.

Peachtree City's Julie Augustyniak scored the first goal of the game in the first minute on an assist by 1999 W-League leading goal scorer Kerry Gragg.

Under the blazing hot sun, the Classics managed to have over eight shots on goal in the first half of the game. Goalkeeper Sarah Crawford, making some spectacular saves, allowed the Piedmont Spark to score only one goal the entire game.

Classics forward Deliah Arrington headed the ball into the back of the net past the Sparks goalkeeper Shanna Caldwell, scoring a goal in the sixth minute of the game on an assist by Augustyniak. Still in the first half, Gragg crossed the ball into the Sparks' net in the 28th minute on an assist by Jennifer Rawlings. Rawlings also played great defense in the win.

With Lynn Nester replacing Sarah Crawford in goal for the second half, Nester managed to help prevent any ball from going past her. In a scoreless second half, the Classics maintained their first win of the 2000 season.

Augustyniak and Arrington of the Classics and Lynsey McLean of the Piedmont Spark were named players of the game Saturday.

The Atlanta Classics will take on the Charlotte Eagles Saturday, May 27 at Parkview High School at 7:30 p.m.

Following the Classics win, the Atlanta Silverbacks won their third game of the season 3-0 Saturday. At DeKalb Memorial Stadium, in front of an overwhelmingly enthusiastic crowd, the Silverbacks defeated the Tennessee Rhythm and out-shot them 17-3.

Playing a mostly offensive game, the Silverbacks succeeded in gaining five more points in A-League standings, adding to their ten points prior to Saturday's game for a total of 15 points, placing them in third place in the Atlantic Conference side by side with the Charleston Battery.

Iggy Moleka of Kinshasa, Zaire and former player for Florida International University scored twice in the game, once in the 30th minute and once in the 55th minute. He was named player of the game. Near the end of the second half, in the 83rd minute, Jamaican National Team star Patrick Beech scored a goal against the Rhythm on an assist by Josh Henderson.

The Silverbacks will take on the Hershey Wildcats Saturday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. at DeKalb Memorial Stadium.

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