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Women's Pro Soccer Weekend Wrap-Up
Another week, another win for the Los Angeles Sol in the world of Women's Professional Soccer.
May 31, 2009 11:13:33 PM
The Los Angeles Sol continue to impress in the inaugural campaign of Women’s Professional Soccer. The Sol earned its third straight win, improving to 6-1-2 in the league. With the win the club takes a commanding lead in the standings with 20 points. Los Angles posted a 3-1-1 record in the month of May alone, outscoring opponents 6-2 and posting four shutouts.
The Washington Freedom topped FC Gold Pride 3-1 and moved into second place with a 3-2-3 record (12 points). Sky Blue FC won its second match of the season and improved to 2-4-2 (8 points). Sky Blue FC, Saint Louis Athletica and the Chicago Red Stars are all ina three-way tie for the last place in the league.
Los Angeles Sol 2, Saint Louis Athletica 0
CARSON, Calif. - Camille Abily and Shannon Boxx scored to lead the Los Angeles Sol to a 2-0 win over Saint Louis Athletica (2-3-2) Saturday evening.
"Today was one of those games where we just couldn't get things going," Saint Louis Athletica’s Lori Chalupny said. "If you're playing LA, the best team in the league, you can't do that."
Eniola Aluko had a great opportunity for Saint Louis in the 31st minute. Aluko attempted to shoot the ball just over Los Angeles goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. LeBlanc grabbed the ball with her fingertips keeping her net clean.
Four minutes later, the Sol had a chance of its own. Marta headed the ball toward goal. The ball bounced away from her. Abily took control and Challenged Hope Solo. Abily chipped the ball into the goal for a 1-0 lead.
Second half, Los Angeles came out recharged and ready to push for the win. Just five minutes in, Boxx doubled the score. Hann Duan sent a perfect pass to Boxx, who easily finished for her first goal of the season and a 2-0 lead.
Athletica’s Niki Cross forwarded the ball to Karri Hanks in the 61st minute. Hanks sent a shot toward goal. LeBlanc easily made the save. Los Angeles held on for the 2-0 win.
The Sol snapped Saint Louis’ two-game winning streak. Athletica falls to 2-3-2 (eight points) on the season, and is still sitting toward the bottom of the table. The Los Angeles shutout gives LeBlanc a league-leading seven on the season.
Washington Freedom 3, FC Gold Pride 1
GERMANTOWN, Md. - Lisa DeVanna and Cat Whitehill scored in the first half to lead the Washington Freedom to a 3-1 win over FC Gold Pride.
Freedom defender Cat Whitehill made a long run down the right side of the field, and crossed a low ball into the box. The ball deflected off Gold Pride’s Kristen Graczyk and into the net for an own goal and a 1-0 Washington lead in the 16th minute.
Six minutes later, Sonia Bompastor found an open DeVanna. She settled the ball, beat the defense and sent it around Bay area goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart for the 2-0 lead.
In the 32nd minute, Washington’s Abby Wambach was taken down just outside the box. A freekick found its way to Bompastor, who stopped the ball for Whitehill. Whitehill then buried the ball into the net to give the home team a 3-0 lead.
Christine Sinclair netted the lone goal for the visitors in the 57th minute. Sinclair headed in a Tiffeny Milbrett cross to give her team its first goal of the night.
Despite a late push, Washington held on for the 3-1 win and kept its unbeaten streak alive at five games (3-0-2).
"This was a difficult loss especially when we gave two goals up for them," FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya said. "You can't give anyone two goals in this league, it's very difficult to come back from that."
FC Gold Pride’s Carrie Dew received two yellow cards and was ejected from the game. She became the second WPS player to receive a red card.
Sky Blue FC 2, Boston Breakers 1
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Goals by Natasha Kai and Kacey White led Sky Blue FC to a 2-1 win over the Boston Breakers (3-3-2).
Sky Blue FC wasted no time getting things started in their first ever match at Yurcak field. Kai challenged Boston Breakers defender Amy LePeilbet in just the fourth minute. Kai beat LePeilbet and shtot he ball past Boston goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill and into the left side of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Eight minutes later, Boston tied things up. Alex Scott crossed the ball into the box. It bounced off Sky Blue keeper Jen Branam’s hands and in front of the goal. Kelly Smith tapped it in for a league-leading fifth goal of the season.
Sky Blue FC struck again in the 29th minute. Meghan Schnur crossed the ball into the 18-yard box. White flicked the ball over Luckenbill and into the net for a 2-1 advantage.
Second half neither team found the net as Sky Blue held on for its second win of the season.
“It wasn’t a good enough game for us today,” Boston head coach Tony DiCicco said. “Give Sky Blue FC credit, they scored two good goals, dug us a hole and we were not able to get out of it. We fought hard until the end of the game, but were unable to create quality soccer.”
With the loss, Boston dropped to third place in the standings.
Kathryn L. Knapp, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer go to Goal.com's women's soccer page.
The Washington Freedom topped FC Gold Pride 3-1 and moved into second place with a 3-2-3 record (12 points). Sky Blue FC won its second match of the season and improved to 2-4-2 (8 points). Sky Blue FC, Saint Louis Athletica and the Chicago Red Stars are all ina three-way tie for the last place in the league.
Los Angeles Sol 2, Saint Louis Athletica 0
CARSON, Calif. - Camille Abily and Shannon Boxx scored to lead the Los Angeles Sol to a 2-0 win over Saint Louis Athletica (2-3-2) Saturday evening.
"Today was one of those games where we just couldn't get things going," Saint Louis Athletica’s Lori Chalupny said. "If you're playing LA, the best team in the league, you can't do that."
Eniola Aluko had a great opportunity for Saint Louis in the 31st minute. Aluko attempted to shoot the ball just over Los Angeles goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. LeBlanc grabbed the ball with her fingertips keeping her net clean.
Four minutes later, the Sol had a chance of its own. Marta headed the ball toward goal. The ball bounced away from her. Abily took control and Challenged Hope Solo. Abily chipped the ball into the goal for a 1-0 lead.
Second half, Los Angeles came out recharged and ready to push for the win. Just five minutes in, Boxx doubled the score. Hann Duan sent a perfect pass to Boxx, who easily finished for her first goal of the season and a 2-0 lead.
Athletica’s Niki Cross forwarded the ball to Karri Hanks in the 61st minute. Hanks sent a shot toward goal. LeBlanc easily made the save. Los Angeles held on for the 2-0 win.
The Sol snapped Saint Louis’ two-game winning streak. Athletica falls to 2-3-2 (eight points) on the season, and is still sitting toward the bottom of the table. The Los Angeles shutout gives LeBlanc a league-leading seven on the season.
Washington Freedom 3, FC Gold Pride 1
GERMANTOWN, Md. - Lisa DeVanna and Cat Whitehill scored in the first half to lead the Washington Freedom to a 3-1 win over FC Gold Pride.
Freedom defender Cat Whitehill made a long run down the right side of the field, and crossed a low ball into the box. The ball deflected off Gold Pride’s Kristen Graczyk and into the net for an own goal and a 1-0 Washington lead in the 16th minute.
Six minutes later, Sonia Bompastor found an open DeVanna. She settled the ball, beat the defense and sent it around Bay area goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart for the 2-0 lead.
In the 32nd minute, Washington’s Abby Wambach was taken down just outside the box. A freekick found its way to Bompastor, who stopped the ball for Whitehill. Whitehill then buried the ball into the net to give the home team a 3-0 lead.
Christine Sinclair netted the lone goal for the visitors in the 57th minute. Sinclair headed in a Tiffeny Milbrett cross to give her team its first goal of the night.
Despite a late push, Washington held on for the 3-1 win and kept its unbeaten streak alive at five games (3-0-2).
"This was a difficult loss especially when we gave two goals up for them," FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya said. "You can't give anyone two goals in this league, it's very difficult to come back from that."
FC Gold Pride’s Carrie Dew received two yellow cards and was ejected from the game. She became the second WPS player to receive a red card.
Sky Blue FC 2, Boston Breakers 1
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Goals by Natasha Kai and Kacey White led Sky Blue FC to a 2-1 win over the Boston Breakers (3-3-2).
Sky Blue FC wasted no time getting things started in their first ever match at Yurcak field. Kai challenged Boston Breakers defender Amy LePeilbet in just the fourth minute. Kai beat LePeilbet and shtot he ball past Boston goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill and into the left side of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Eight minutes later, Boston tied things up. Alex Scott crossed the ball into the box. It bounced off Sky Blue keeper Jen Branam’s hands and in front of the goal. Kelly Smith tapped it in for a league-leading fifth goal of the season.
Sky Blue FC struck again in the 29th minute. Meghan Schnur crossed the ball into the 18-yard box. White flicked the ball over Luckenbill and into the net for a 2-1 advantage.
Second half neither team found the net as Sky Blue held on for its second win of the season.
“It wasn’t a good enough game for us today,” Boston head coach Tony DiCicco said. “Give Sky Blue FC credit, they scored two good goals, dug us a hole and we were not able to get out of it. We fought hard until the end of the game, but were unable to create quality soccer.”
With the loss, Boston dropped to third place in the standings.
Kathryn L. Knapp, Goal.com
For more on Women's Professional Soccer go to Goal.com's women's soccer page.
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