Big Day for Parlow, Beat

Cindy Parlow scored three goals, and the Atlanta Beat ended a three-game winless streak with a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Charge on Sunday in front of 5,218 at Atlanta.

Atlanta (5-2-4) moved into first place in the WUSA, two points ahead of the Boston Breakers and the Washington Freedom.

Parlow hadn’t scored this season before recording her first multiple-goal game since a 2001 WUSA semifinal victory over the Charge.

The last-place Charge, which was called for 21 fouls, allowed four goals for the third time this season. Defender Jenny Benson was given a red card in the 85th minute.

Melanie Hoffmann scored in the 10th minute, and Marinette Pichon had a goal in first-half injury time for Philadelphia (3-6-2). The Charge saw an end to its four-game unbeaten streak.

Conny Pohlers scored Atlanta’s first goal in the 31st minute, ending the team’s scoring drought at 187 minutes.

Washington 2, San Jose 2 -- Pretinha scored a goal in each half to help the visiting CyberRays tie the Freedom in front of 7,057 at Washington.

Mia Hamm had a goal and an assist for the Freedom, which is 1-3-1 since a 4-0-1 start. Hamm had not scored since Washington’s last win on May 24. She moved into a tie for the WUSA scoring lead with 20 points.