Atlanta Beat still determined to win elusive championship

ATLANTA - Atlanta has more wins in the first two years of the WUSA than any other team. But the Beat lost in the final game in 2001 and fell in the semifinals last year. <br> <br> Coach Tom Stones says that makes the team even more hungry this season. <br> <br> The central figures from the past two seasons are still there: goaltender Briana Scurry, forward Charmaine Hooper, midfielders Cindy Parlow and Homare Sawa, and defenders Kylie Bivins and Sharolta Nonen. <br> <br> But the Beat revamped its remaining roster, hoping to get a faster and younger front line. <br> <br> The team parted with Chinese star Sun Wen, who left to concentrate on playing in the World Cup, which will be in her home country in September. The Beat will try to replace her Conny Pohlers and Maribel Dominguez. Two new forwards allow Stone to move Emily Burt to defender and give the team more depth to handle the absences of players serving national team duty. <br> <br> Another newcomer, midfielder Ifeoma Dieke, has drawn raves in the preseason for bringing energy to the midfield. <br> <br> That should reinforce what has been one of the best defensive teams in the WUSA the first two years. The Beat was tied for second with 29 goals allowed in 2002. <br> <br> The Beat begins its 2003 season Saturday against the New York Power.