Despite losing their leading scorer Kelly Golebiowski to the WUSA, the Hampton Roads Piranhas put together an amazing run to record the third undefeated championship season, 14-0 overall, in W-League history as they claimed their first-ever title.

One of the W-League's original franchises from 1995, the Piranhas had never reached the final, advancing to the semifinals twice. Meanwhile, the club was one of the leading franchises in the league on and off the field, culminating in the franchise hosting the 2001 W-League Championship tournament and owner/general manager Marcie Laumann winning the 2001 Executive of the Year honor. The honor came a year after Laumann was honored with the inaugural Archie Moylan Courage Award for her continued efforts in operating the Piranhas while experiencing severe complications with Juvenile Onset Diabetes.

The club's run in 2003 included two victories over 2002 finalist Charlotte and a 1-0 overtime victory against the Chicago Cobras, whom they faced in the final.

For the second time in three years, the Piranhas hosted the championship tournament in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After watching Chicago blank the Ottawa Fury 3-0 in the first semifinal, the Piranhas fell behind to the Seattle Sounders 1-0 and trailed at halftime for only the second time on the year. An unlikely hero in Darci Borski, who had one goal in the four games she played, rose to the forefront in the second half however, scoring the equalizer less than two minutes into the second half and what proved to be the game-winner in the 55th minute as the Piranhas went on to a 4-1 win.

Two days later in what of the most thrilling finals in W-League and USL history, the Piranhas and Cobras battled to overtime for the second time on the year scoreless through regulation, despite numerous scoring opportunities for both sides. Six minutes into the extra period, overtime substitute Janet Davis sent a shot off the right post that richocheted out to Nigerian National Team player Mercy Akide, who blasted a 10-yard shot into the far corner for the win, sending the 1,237 fans into a frenzy.

Overall, it was a big season of change in the league and an even bigger year for the ladies.

After several years of absolute dominance in the west, the Vancouver Whitecaps were stunned in their home opener by rival Seattle and were then surprised at home again in the playoffs by the Sounders, falling 3-1 in penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw.

In the east, Ottawa shocked everyone with a 3-2 road win over the defending two-time champion Boston Renegades in the Northern Division Final. They went on to top the New Jersey Lady Stallions 4-2 in the conference final to advance to the semifinals.

Ottawa players continued to excel after the season, helping to guide the Canadian Women’s National Team to new heights at the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Goalkeeper Taryn Swiatek grabbed the starting spot in the second game and never let go, posting one brilliant performance after another. After a breakout season in the W-League, where she finished second in goals against average at 0.41, she came into the tournament as the third-string netminder. Following a 4-1 loss to eventual champion Germany in their opener, Swiatek would make her debut in goal against Argentina and posted a shutout in a 3-0 win, the team's first ever in the Women's World Cup.

A 3-1 victory over Japan in Canada’s third match advanced the team out of group play and into a showdown with defending champion China in the quarterfinals. In a close-fought match, the Canadians registered the historic win to move on to the semis, where Sweden would rally with two unanswered goals in the final 11 minutes for a 2-1 win.

Swiatek finished with a 1.20 GAA for the tournament while three of the four goal scorers on the team were W-League alumni. USL Hall of Famer Charmaine Hooper tallied twice despite playing in her new role as defender. Vancouver Whitecaps 16-year old phenom Kara Lang also found the back of the net twice and former Whitecap Christine Sinclair finished tied with Christine Latham for the team lead with three strikes for the tournament.

The Canadian Women's National Team took a giant leap forward with its stunning run in the tournament. Leading the way were 16 players with W-League experience on the roster of 20, including 11 who played with the three Canadian franchises in 2003.