VILLANOVA, Pa. -- Venus James scored two goals and Birgit

Prinz had one to lead the Carolina Courage to a 3-1 victory over

the Philadelphia Charge on Saturday night.

Tiffany Roberts added two assists for Carolina (7-7-3), which

has won three of its last four. Goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill made

three saves and won her first game against Philadelphia in six

career matches.

Emily Burt scored the only goal for Philadelphia (3-11-4), which

was officially eliminated from the playoff race. The Charge has

dropped five consecutive games and saw their winless streak

extended to eight games.

With the Courage trailing 1-0, Prinz tied the game in the 28th

minute with her 10th goal of the season. James gave the Courage the

lead for good on a header in the 62nd minute after Roberts

intercepted a clearing attempt and sent the ball into the goalmouth

area.

James added a goal when she scored from the edge of the penalty

box in the 83rd minute.

Burt had given the Charge a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute when she

redirected a pass from Lorrie Fair.

Carolina won its first-ever game at Philadelphia in five

meetings (1-3-1).

The Courage moved to within one point of the fourth and final

playoff spot in the standings. San Diego and New York are tied for

the spot with 25 points each.

The Charge missed the playoffs for the first time in their

three-year history.