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Late Goal Propels Washington Freedom To 1-0 Win
Rebecca Moros tallied a late goal for Saint Louis. It proved to be enough for the win and to help the team move into second place… at least for Saturday.
Jun 21, 2009 8:18:13 PM
SAINT LOUIS, Mo. – One goal proved to be the difference in the Washington Freedom – Saint Louis Athletica match on Saturday. Freedom midfielder Rebecca Moros tallied an 83rd minute goal to top Athletica 1-0 at Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park.
“We played pretty well in the first half but did have to weather a few storms,” said Washington Freedom Head Coach Jim Gabarra. “Both goalies played spectacular in the first half and each team was battling to just be the first one to score.”
Erin McLeod collected seven saves and helped Washington to its second straight shutout. Washington (4-3-4, 16 points) took over second place with the win. Saint Louis (4-4-2, 14 points) fell to third place.
Both teams created chances in the first half. Washington had eight shots, including two on goal. Saint Louis recorded six shots with four on goal. But neither team was able to finish in the final third.
A scary moment for Washington occurred in the 41st minute when forward Abby Wambach left the field due to a hamstring problem. Wambach will be further evaluated.
Second half the home team came out charged up. In the 47th minute Saint Louis forward Christie Welsh ricocheted a shot off the cross bar. The ball bounced just outside the line before Washington’s defense cleared it. Athletica forward Melissa Tancredi experienced a bit of déjà vu three minutes later. Tancredi headed the ball toward goal. It again bounced off the crossbar, before being cleared by the defense.
Saint Louis was relentless son the attack. In the 63rd minute, Eniola Aluko almost gave her team the lead. Aluko made a run, broke free from the defense and shot. McLeod grabbed the shot, keeping her net clean.
Twenty minutes later, the Freedom found a way to score. Washington forward Lisa De Vanna collected a loose ball in midfield and charged toward Athletica’s backline. De Vanna forwarded the ball to Moros, who was closely defended by Kia McNeill. McNeill attempted to clear it, but Moros regained the ball and blasted a shot at Saint Louis goalkeeper Hope Solo.
“It was on a fast break two on two, De Vanna drew the defenders in because of her speed and she fed it right to me,” Moros said. “McNeill made a valiant effort to clear the ball but it came back to me.”
The goal stuck for the remainder of the match, ending in a 1-0 Washington win.
“I think St. Louis had the better play in the second half but we held strong defensively and that ended up being the difference in the game,” said Gabarra. “To get a win on the road against a team that is ahead of you in the standings and has game in hand is critical at this time of the year.”
Washington out shot Saint Louis 12 to 11. Four of the Washington attempts were on goal. Solo held strong for Athletica with three saves on the night.
Goal.com
For more on Women’s Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com’s women’s soccer section.
“We played pretty well in the first half but did have to weather a few storms,” said Washington Freedom Head Coach Jim Gabarra. “Both goalies played spectacular in the first half and each team was battling to just be the first one to score.”
Erin McLeod collected seven saves and helped Washington to its second straight shutout. Washington (4-3-4, 16 points) took over second place with the win. Saint Louis (4-4-2, 14 points) fell to third place.
Both teams created chances in the first half. Washington had eight shots, including two on goal. Saint Louis recorded six shots with four on goal. But neither team was able to finish in the final third.
A scary moment for Washington occurred in the 41st minute when forward Abby Wambach left the field due to a hamstring problem. Wambach will be further evaluated.
Second half the home team came out charged up. In the 47th minute Saint Louis forward Christie Welsh ricocheted a shot off the cross bar. The ball bounced just outside the line before Washington’s defense cleared it. Athletica forward Melissa Tancredi experienced a bit of déjà vu three minutes later. Tancredi headed the ball toward goal. It again bounced off the crossbar, before being cleared by the defense.
Saint Louis was relentless son the attack. In the 63rd minute, Eniola Aluko almost gave her team the lead. Aluko made a run, broke free from the defense and shot. McLeod grabbed the shot, keeping her net clean.
Twenty minutes later, the Freedom found a way to score. Washington forward Lisa De Vanna collected a loose ball in midfield and charged toward Athletica’s backline. De Vanna forwarded the ball to Moros, who was closely defended by Kia McNeill. McNeill attempted to clear it, but Moros regained the ball and blasted a shot at Saint Louis goalkeeper Hope Solo.
“It was on a fast break two on two, De Vanna drew the defenders in because of her speed and she fed it right to me,” Moros said. “McNeill made a valiant effort to clear the ball but it came back to me.”
The goal stuck for the remainder of the match, ending in a 1-0 Washington win.
“I think St. Louis had the better play in the second half but we held strong defensively and that ended up being the difference in the game,” said Gabarra. “To get a win on the road against a team that is ahead of you in the standings and has game in hand is critical at this time of the year.”
Washington out shot Saint Louis 12 to 11. Four of the Washington attempts were on goal. Solo held strong for Athletica with three saves on the night.
Goal.com
For more on Women’s Professional Soccer, go to Goal.com’s women’s soccer section.
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