The W-League-2001
The major event affecting the W-League this year was the advent of the Women's
United Soccer Association. The most immediate results were the loss of
franchises in Atlanta and Raleigh, displaced by WUSA clubs, as well as the loss
more than 60 of the league's top players. Despite this, the league was not
seriously affected, and began to reorient its approach to one of serving as a
farm system for the new senior league. Several teams were added as the league
returned to the west coast for the first time since 1997.
The W-1 Division, now reconfigured to three conferences, saw a battle between
the Boston Renegades, Long Island Lady Riders and Toronto Inferno. Long Island
finished the season tied with Toronto at 51 points, taking the title based on
wins. Maryland improved upon last year's 9-4-1 record to finish at 12-0-1 to
take the Eastern title, and the expansion Vancouver Breakers swamped their
opposition to take the West by a 5 game margin. The Breakers continued their run
in the final four, shutting out Hampton Roads, while Boston shut out Maryland
3-0 to set up a bi-coastal championship match, which was easily won by the
Boston Renegades, who defeated Vancouver 5-1.
In the W-2 Division, Charlottee Lady Eagles took the Eastern title, the
Cincinnati Ladyhawks took the Central and expansion Memphis Mercury took the
west. Charlotte and Memphis prevailed in the semifinals, with Charlotte
defeating Memphis 3-1 for the W-2 title.
After the season, the W-League eliminated the W-1 and W-2 divisional
designations, with the teams to be incorporated into a new unified divisional
structure for the 2002 season.
W-1 Final League Standings and Playoff Results
Chicago was relegated to W-2. Mile High Mustangs, Portland,
Seattle, Arizona, Vancouver and Texas were added. New York
and Springfield were promoted from W-2.
GP W D L GF GA BP Pts
Northern Conference
Long Island Lady Riders 14 11 1 2 36 11 6 51
Toronto Inferno 15 10 2 3 42 19 9 51
Boston Renegades 15 10 3 2 44 12 6 49
Springfield Sirens 14 9 2 3 33 14 5 43
Ottawa Fury 14 5 3 6 21 17 2 25
Laval Dynamites 14 3 1 10 22 32 5 18
New York Magic 14 2 2 10 21 36 3 13
Rochester Ravens 14 0 0 14 1 83 0 0
Eastern Conference
Maryland Pride 13 12 1 0 30 11 6 55
Hampton Road Piranhas 14 10 2 2 38 9 7 49
New Jersey Lady Stallions 14 5 0 9 19 26 3 23
Jacksonville Jade 14 5 1 8 19 30 2 23
Tampa Bay Extreme 13 4 2 7 19 21 2 20
Western Conference
Vancouver Breakers 14 12 1 1 39 9 7 56
Texas Odyssey 14 7 1 6 34 21 5 34
Seattle Sounders Select Wmn 15 7 4 4 19 18 2 34
Fort Collins Force 14 6 1 7 20 25 3 28
Mile High Mustangs 14 5 3 6 23 22 4 27
Arizona Heatwave 14 5 0 9 18 30 3 23
Portland Rain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Semifinals: Boston defeated Maryland 3-0
Vancouver defeated Hampton Roads 1-0
CHAMPIONSHIP: Boston defeated Vancouver 5-1.
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