University of Massachusets Athletics
Briana Scurry Named To National Soccer Hall Of Fame
August 04, 2017 | Women's Soccer
UMass, U.S. National Team legend becomes first female keeper in hall of fame.
AMHERST, Mass. - One of the most known players in United States women's soccer history, University of Massachusetts alumna Briana Scurry was elected into the National Soccer Hall of Fame announced Thursday evening. Scurry, who played for UMass from 1990-93, becomes the first female goalkeeper to be elected into the sports Hall of Fame.
"It's a fantastic honor to be inducted to the Hall of Fame. I remember watching the Olympics on the couch with my parents at 8 years old, dreaming of becoming an Olympian myself. It was with their help – and that of my coaches, teammates, and countless others – that I was blessed to not only become an Olympian, but an Olympic and World Cup champion," Scurry said. "Soccer had already given me so much more than I could possibly give back. Now, to be inducted alongside the likes of Michelle Akers, Mia Hamm, and Kristine Lilly – I am truly humbled. And though my mother and father have passed, I can feel their pride swell. Thank you for letting me play for you, and thank you all for this incredible honor."
Scurry donned the No. 1 jersey for the Minutewomen in the early 1990s before going on to a storied U.S. National Team career, which included Olympic Gold Medals in 1996 and 2004 and a Silver Medal in 2000. In her career, she made a total of 173 international appearances which are the most among female soccer goalkeepers and the 10th most among any American female player.
The Dayton, Minn., native backstopped UMass to a NCAA Final Four appearance and the program's first Atlantic 10 title as a senior in 1993 en route to Missouri Athletic Club/adidas Goalkeeper of the Year, All-America and Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors. The squad also made NCAA appearances in her two previous seasons in Amherst, reaching the quarterfinal round in 1992.
Over four seasons at UMass, Scurry posted a 0.56 goals-against average in 6,073 career minutes, spanning 65 career games with 37 shutouts and a .906 save percentage.
The goalkeeper played professionally for the Atlanta Beat (2001-03) and the Washington Freedom (2009-10). She was an All-WUSA selection four times and named the WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year in 2003. That same year she was inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame.
Scurry is one of the most prolific and successful goalkeepers in U.S. Women's National Team history. She played every minute in goal for the USA at three Women's World Cups and two Olympic Games, suffering only two losses in those tournaments. She is perhaps best known for her phenomenal performance at the 1999 Women's World Cup where she made several world class saves in the semifinal victory against Brazil at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif., setting the stage for one of the most historic matches in women's soccer history.
During the 1999 Women's World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and in front of the largest crowd to ever watch a women's sporting event, Scurry helped shut out China for 120 minutes before stopped the Steel Roses' third penalty kick attempt in the dramatic shootout, allowing final U.S. shooter Brandi Chastain to clinch the championship. Scurry also shepherded the U.S. WNT to two Olympic gold medals during an eleven-year run as the team's top goalkeeper.
Since retirement, Scurry has become an advocate for concussion and traumatic brain injury awareness. She has testified to Congress twice as part of committees on brain injury and sport safety. Scurry has also spent time in the broadcast booth for women's soccer and as a motivational speaker. In her playing days, Scurry was a founding member of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the first U.S. women's league to pay players as professionals. She finished her international career with 175 caps and 72 shutouts.
For complete coverage of the UMass women's soccer program, follow the Minutewomen at @UMassWSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
"It's a fantastic honor to be inducted to the Hall of Fame. I remember watching the Olympics on the couch with my parents at 8 years old, dreaming of becoming an Olympian myself. It was with their help – and that of my coaches, teammates, and countless others – that I was blessed to not only become an Olympian, but an Olympic and World Cup champion," Scurry said. "Soccer had already given me so much more than I could possibly give back. Now, to be inducted alongside the likes of Michelle Akers, Mia Hamm, and Kristine Lilly – I am truly humbled. And though my mother and father have passed, I can feel their pride swell. Thank you for letting me play for you, and thank you all for this incredible honor."
Scurry donned the No. 1 jersey for the Minutewomen in the early 1990s before going on to a storied U.S. National Team career, which included Olympic Gold Medals in 1996 and 2004 and a Silver Medal in 2000. In her career, she made a total of 173 international appearances which are the most among female soccer goalkeepers and the 10th most among any American female player.
The Dayton, Minn., native backstopped UMass to a NCAA Final Four appearance and the program's first Atlantic 10 title as a senior in 1993 en route to Missouri Athletic Club/adidas Goalkeeper of the Year, All-America and Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors. The squad also made NCAA appearances in her two previous seasons in Amherst, reaching the quarterfinal round in 1992.
Over four seasons at UMass, Scurry posted a 0.56 goals-against average in 6,073 career minutes, spanning 65 career games with 37 shutouts and a .906 save percentage.
The goalkeeper played professionally for the Atlanta Beat (2001-03) and the Washington Freedom (2009-10). She was an All-WUSA selection four times and named the WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year in 2003. That same year she was inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame.
Scurry is one of the most prolific and successful goalkeepers in U.S. Women's National Team history. She played every minute in goal for the USA at three Women's World Cups and two Olympic Games, suffering only two losses in those tournaments. She is perhaps best known for her phenomenal performance at the 1999 Women's World Cup where she made several world class saves in the semifinal victory against Brazil at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif., setting the stage for one of the most historic matches in women's soccer history.
During the 1999 Women's World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and in front of the largest crowd to ever watch a women's sporting event, Scurry helped shut out China for 120 minutes before stopped the Steel Roses' third penalty kick attempt in the dramatic shootout, allowing final U.S. shooter Brandi Chastain to clinch the championship. Scurry also shepherded the U.S. WNT to two Olympic gold medals during an eleven-year run as the team's top goalkeeper.
Since retirement, Scurry has become an advocate for concussion and traumatic brain injury awareness. She has testified to Congress twice as part of committees on brain injury and sport safety. Scurry has also spent time in the broadcast booth for women's soccer and as a motivational speaker. In her playing days, Scurry was a founding member of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the first U.S. women's league to pay players as professionals. She finished her international career with 175 caps and 72 shutouts.
For complete coverage of the UMass women's soccer program, follow the Minutewomen at @UMassWSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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