Atlanta won two preseason scrimmages on March 17, defeating Vanderbilt and Florida by identical 1-0 scores at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. The Beat edged Vanderbilt on a goal from Kerry Gragg in the 35th minute. The goal came off a misplayed ball that fell to the feet of Beat midfielder Nicole Lamb. Lamb fired a low hard shot that Gragg redirected into the net. Gragg’s goal was the only tally of the match even though the Beat outshot Vanderbilt, 16-1. The second match was a physical battle against the Gators. Beat goalie Briana Scurry was forced off her line to stop a charging Florida forward in the third minute of the game. After that, the Beat took control. The Beat outshot the Gators 10-0 in the first half of play. The Beat struck early in the second half with a goal from Emily Burt off a Julie Augustyniak cross, but the goal was nullified on an offside call. The Beat got the game winner when substitute Wendy Dillinger took a pass from Kylie Bivens and blasted a shot above the Florida keeper. The shot reached the upper left corner of the net for the game’s only goal. The Beat outshot the Gators, 18-2.