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Goal.com's WPS Player Of Week 4: Boston Breakers GK Kristin Luckenbill
While six players made the cut for WPS player of the week, it was goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill who earned the title. Luckenbill stopped the Washington Freedom's attack, by stopping a crucial PK.
Apr 21, 2009 12:18:44 AM
Week four of Women’s Professional Soccer was an interesting one to say the least. Six players received votes for Goal.com's Player of the Week, but Boston Breakers goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill won the weekly accolade.
Luckenbill led the Breakers to a 3-1 win Saturday against the Washington Freedom. Fellow Breaker Kelly Smith opened the scoring in the 56th minute, converting the league’s first penalty kick. But four minutes later, Washington made a push. Lori Lindsey tallied a goal, evening the score.
“After conceding a wonder-goal to Lori Lindsey, momentum was quickly going against 'keeper Luckenbill's team,” Goal.com’s Zac Rigg said. “That is, until she managed to pull off a penalty save to keep the score equal. Breakers pushed on to score two more and take all three points over the Washington Freedom, but it never would have happened if Luckenbill hadn't saved WPS's second-ever penalty shot.”
The first penalty kick save in WPS history will go down as a memorable one for Boston fans.
“Player of the week goes to Luckenbill, who did what veteran U.S. goalkeeper Brianna Scurry could not - saved the second penalty kick of the season,” Goal.com’s Angela Tavares said. “Even though the Freedom pulled one by her, she came up big when the Breakers needed her most.”
Luckenbill wasn’t the only Breaker to get a POW nod. Smith received a vote for again sparking Boston’s offense.
Goal.com site director Greg Lalas actually chose two goalkeepers for his player of the week. The Sky Blue FC combo of Karen Bardsley and Jenni Branam helped lead the club to a 0-0 draw against a hungry Chicago Red Stars club. Bardsley left the game at half-time, with back spasms.
“The two keepers split time to earn the club's first ever shutout,” Lalas said. “They combined for six saves and faced 12--that's right, 12!--corner kicks. Bardsley had to be at her best several times in the first 45 to stop efforts from Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe.”
Two Los Angeles Sol players also received nods – Aly Wagner and Marta. Wagner set up Marta’s goal, which led the Sol to its third straight win – a 1-0 victory over FC Gold Pride.
“Wagner set Marta up for the game winner for L.A. with a well placed chipped ball in behind Gold Pride's back line. In a match where the decisive ball in the attacking third was lacking, Wagner's pass made all the difference,” Goal.com’s Allen Ramsey said.
And of course, there’s no denying that Marta is one of the best players in the league. Marta’s third goal, puts her in a two-way tie (with Kelly Smith) for the WPS leading scorer.
“Her second half goal proved to be the match winner, and allowed the Sol to keep up a three game winning streak and remain atop the league table,” Goal.com’s Jennifer Dawson said. “True, the Sol back line and GK deserve a lot of credit for recording their third consecutive shutout, but had it not been for Marta's goal this would have resulted in a scoreless draw.”
- Goal.com
For more coverage of the Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's Women's Soccer page.
Luckenbill led the Breakers to a 3-1 win Saturday against the Washington Freedom. Fellow Breaker Kelly Smith opened the scoring in the 56th minute, converting the league’s first penalty kick. But four minutes later, Washington made a push. Lori Lindsey tallied a goal, evening the score.
“After conceding a wonder-goal to Lori Lindsey, momentum was quickly going against 'keeper Luckenbill's team,” Goal.com’s Zac Rigg said. “That is, until she managed to pull off a penalty save to keep the score equal. Breakers pushed on to score two more and take all three points over the Washington Freedom, but it never would have happened if Luckenbill hadn't saved WPS's second-ever penalty shot.”
The first penalty kick save in WPS history will go down as a memorable one for Boston fans.
“Player of the week goes to Luckenbill, who did what veteran U.S. goalkeeper Brianna Scurry could not - saved the second penalty kick of the season,” Goal.com’s Angela Tavares said. “Even though the Freedom pulled one by her, she came up big when the Breakers needed her most.”
Luckenbill wasn’t the only Breaker to get a POW nod. Smith received a vote for again sparking Boston’s offense.
Goal.com site director Greg Lalas actually chose two goalkeepers for his player of the week. The Sky Blue FC combo of Karen Bardsley and Jenni Branam helped lead the club to a 0-0 draw against a hungry Chicago Red Stars club. Bardsley left the game at half-time, with back spasms.
“The two keepers split time to earn the club's first ever shutout,” Lalas said. “They combined for six saves and faced 12--that's right, 12!--corner kicks. Bardsley had to be at her best several times in the first 45 to stop efforts from Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe.”
Two Los Angeles Sol players also received nods – Aly Wagner and Marta. Wagner set up Marta’s goal, which led the Sol to its third straight win – a 1-0 victory over FC Gold Pride.
“Wagner set Marta up for the game winner for L.A. with a well placed chipped ball in behind Gold Pride's back line. In a match where the decisive ball in the attacking third was lacking, Wagner's pass made all the difference,” Goal.com’s Allen Ramsey said.
And of course, there’s no denying that Marta is one of the best players in the league. Marta’s third goal, puts her in a two-way tie (with Kelly Smith) for the WPS leading scorer.
“Her second half goal proved to be the match winner, and allowed the Sol to keep up a three game winning streak and remain atop the league table,” Goal.com’s Jennifer Dawson said. “True, the Sol back line and GK deserve a lot of credit for recording their third consecutive shutout, but had it not been for Marta's goal this would have resulted in a scoreless draw.”
- Goal.com
For more coverage of the Women's Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com's Women's Soccer page.
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