China's Bai Jie Scores Victory for Washington Freedom

Chinese defender Bai Jie scored twice, including a last-minute winner, to pace the Washington Freedom for a 2-1 victory over the New York Power on Sunday night and to clinch the overall top place in the WUSA league.

In an away game at Michel Athletic Complex in New York, the Freedom stuck early in the fourth minute when Brazilian Pretinha dove for a goal-mouth ball and passed it to Bai, who beat his Chinese national goalkeeper teammate Gao Hong.

After the half time break, Norwegian forward Ann Kristin Aarones, in her debut to replace Ronnie Fair, made her immediate impact by scoring in the 78th minute off an assist from Sara Whalen.

The 1-1 tie held up until the injury time when Bai scored the game-winner in front of a crowded New York goal off Mia Hamm's corner kick.

The loss was New York's first of the season, which put the Power to 2-3-1 for nine points while Washington is 3-2-1 for 11 points.






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