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Jet, July 26, 1999

Among the heroes in the USA's soccer victory over China in the Women's World Cup championship game was goalkeeper Briana Scurry, who made a decisive save on a penalty kick to help her team win the championship.

Scurry and Saskia Webber are the only Blacks on the team. Only Scurry played in the final game.

Like she has done throughout the team's march to the championship, Scurry stepped up to the net with the intense passion she exhibits in every match and came through like a champion.

Neither team managed to score in 120 minutes of play in the Rose Bowl, so the game was decided by penalty kicks. Each team got five attempts.

Liu Ying from China stepped up for her team's third kick. Scurry dived to her left to make a save that set off the 90,000-plus screaming fans, including President Bill Clinton.

This critical save opened the window of opportunity for USA's Brandi Chastain, who hit the winning shot to start a celebration around the country.

And now that they are champions, Scurry and her teammates will share the glory and the $1 million bonus from the U.S. Soccer Federation.