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Goal.com's WPS Player Of The Week: Sonia Bompastor, Washington Freedom
Sonia Bompastor played part in both of the Freedom's two go-ahead goals in the Freedom's convincing win over St. Louis Athletica.
May 3, 2010 5:03:00 PM
By Giovanni Albanese Jr.
Washington Freedom went into its game on Saturday night with backs against the wall. After starting out 1-2, the Freedom had to take on Hope Solo and the St. Louis Athletica at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
So, Washington’s 3-1 win over Athletica was more than just a win. It brought them from mediocre to formidable. It’s as if the Freedom can just flick a switch and turn on the offense.
This week, Sonia Bompastor came through big time for the Freedom, factoring in both go-ahead goals to help her club avoid dropping to 1-3 on the young season.
“We needed her mentality in midfield against Athletica,” said Freedom coach Jim Gabarra of Bompastor. “Her high level of play, along with Becky Sauerbrunn's effort at left back, was an important part of our team's success in our last match (against Athletica).”
First, in the 20th minute, Bompastor got the Freedom on the board when she took a pass from Abby Wambach and beat Solo for the early 1-0 lead.
Then, after Eniola Aluko tied the game up late in the first half, Bompastor took a corner and found Homare Sawa who put it past Solo for a 2-1 lead just moments into the second half. Lene Mykjaland capped the scoring with an unassisted goal in the 74th minute to secure victory for the Freedom.
Bompastor also contributed with stability in the midfield, helping prevent any dangerous attacks by Athletica. She brought plenty of intensity which the team fed off of.
"It was a great game because we had a lot of intensity and we scored three goals,” said Bompastor. “I think that both teams played well and played with a lot of heart."
Bompastor is modest in her thoughts of the game. But her play – putting the desperate Freedom on top twice – is why she gets the nod for Goal.com’s WPS Player of the Week.
Freedom coach Jim Gabarra feels Bompastor is a key member of the Freedom, and is important to the success of the team by her actions both on and off the field.
“Sonia had a strong performance against St Louis. She is a tremendous asset to our team both in possession and with out,” said Gabarra. “Sonia is very competitive and is a vital part of the team on and off the field as one of our leaders with a healthy sense of humor.”
Washington will need all that leadership from Bompastor next weekend, when the Freedom host Boston in a rematch from the club’s 2-1 opening day loss to the Breakers. Kickoff at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland, is set for 7 p.m. ET.
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, visit Goal.com's WPS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
So, Washington’s 3-1 win over Athletica was more than just a win. It brought them from mediocre to formidable. It’s as if the Freedom can just flick a switch and turn on the offense.
This week, Sonia Bompastor came through big time for the Freedom, factoring in both go-ahead goals to help her club avoid dropping to 1-3 on the young season.
“We needed her mentality in midfield against Athletica,” said Freedom coach Jim Gabarra of Bompastor. “Her high level of play, along with Becky Sauerbrunn's effort at left back, was an important part of our team's success in our last match (against Athletica).”
First, in the 20th minute, Bompastor got the Freedom on the board when she took a pass from Abby Wambach and beat Solo for the early 1-0 lead.
Then, after Eniola Aluko tied the game up late in the first half, Bompastor took a corner and found Homare Sawa who put it past Solo for a 2-1 lead just moments into the second half. Lene Mykjaland capped the scoring with an unassisted goal in the 74th minute to secure victory for the Freedom.
Bompastor also contributed with stability in the midfield, helping prevent any dangerous attacks by Athletica. She brought plenty of intensity which the team fed off of.
"It was a great game because we had a lot of intensity and we scored three goals,” said Bompastor. “I think that both teams played well and played with a lot of heart."
Bompastor is modest in her thoughts of the game. But her play – putting the desperate Freedom on top twice – is why she gets the nod for Goal.com’s WPS Player of the Week.
Freedom coach Jim Gabarra feels Bompastor is a key member of the Freedom, and is important to the success of the team by her actions both on and off the field.
“Sonia had a strong performance against St Louis. She is a tremendous asset to our team both in possession and with out,” said Gabarra. “Sonia is very competitive and is a vital part of the team on and off the field as one of our leaders with a healthy sense of humor.”
Washington will need all that leadership from Bompastor next weekend, when the Freedom host Boston in a rematch from the club’s 2-1 opening day loss to the Breakers. Kickoff at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland, is set for 7 p.m. ET.
For more on Women's Professional Soccer, visit Goal.com's WPS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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