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Crew end winless streak with victory over Wizards

Jun 21, 2007 - 3:55 AM COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- The Columbus Crew finally have their second win of the season.

Eddie Gaven and Stefani Miglioranzi scored five minutes apart in the second half as the Crew defeated the Kansas City Wizards, 2-1, on Wednesday.

Will Hesmer made three saves in goal for the Crew, who ended a seven-game winless streak (0-4-3) and picked up their first win since April 28.

"Its nice to get the win and even better to be able to contribute with a goal," Gaven said. "We haven't been playing that badly but the win tonight is just what we needed and it feels great."

After a physical first half, where neither team generated any significant scoring chances, Columbus (2-4-6) broke the scoreless tie in the 56th minute.

Alejandro Moreno sent a hard pass into a crowd in front of the goal box, where Gaven emerged with the ball and beat goaltender Kevin Hartman with a rolling shot to the right side of the net. Duncan Oughton also received an assist on the goal - Gaven's first of the year.

"The ball went into Duncan and ended up on my left foot and I just kicked it in. It felt good," Gaven said.

The lead grew to 2-0 in the 61st minute as Miglioranzi scored on a header off a corner kick by Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Miglioranzi's first tally of the season sailed under the crossbar and just out of the reach of Hartman, who made a leaping save attempt.

"I thank god that I was able to contribute and help the team get three points," Miglioranzi said. "It was a set play ... it was a great ball played in by Guillermo."

Making his second consecutive start in net for Columbus, this was Hesmer's first win of the season. He recently took over for Andy Gruenebaum who had allowed an average of 1 1/2 goals per game in 10 starts this season. Crew coach Sigi Schmid said the move was made to "shake things up."

"I have said that I am happy with all three guys. I think Andy has had some good games. We have given Will a go right now. He is undefeated in goal right now which is important. I have confidence in all three guys," Schmid said.

Hesmer said there is no animosity between him and Gruenebaum.

"It can be difficult but fortunately we have a good relationship, we are grounded and we genuinely want the best for each other," He said. "We all look for each other for advice and help each other whenever we can. It's a great situation to be in."

Jack Jewsbury scored his first goal of the season in stoppage time to trim the lead to 2-1, but Kansas City did not leave itself enough time to get the equalizer.

The win against Kansas City was a welcome change for Columbus, which was swept by the Wizards in the four-game season series last season before dropping the first meeting this year.

The loss prevented Kansas City (6-3-2) from moving ahead of the New York Red Bulls (6-3-3) for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Additionally, Wizards coach Curt Onalfo remains two points shy of clinching the right to coach the MLS All-Stars when they take on Scotland's Celtic FC on July 19 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

The All-Star coach is selected based on what team has the most points per game through June 24.

"We had chances to put the ball in the back of the net and we didn't," Onalfo said. "When you are on the road against a team like that and you get limited chances you have to put them away and we didn't. Hats off to Columbus they played well and deserved the win."

Kansas City was again without Eddie Johnson, the league's leading scorer, who is playing for the United States at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The Americans are scheduled to play Canada in the event's semifinals on Thursday. Columbus captain Frankie Hejduk also is representing the U.S. at the Gold Cup.

"It's always a big impact. Eddie Johnson is one of our key players here," Wizards' defender Jose Burciaga Jr. said. "I think at the same time we have said that we are good from one to twenty eight. We are not going to make excuses - we just fell a little short tonight."