BOSTON BREAKERS 2 - 0 ST LOUIS ATHLETICA

Boston Breakers forward Kelly Smith showed once again that she is an offensive force. The English National Team star notched a goal and an assist to lead the Boston Breakers past Saint Louis, 2-0, on a rain soaked Saturday evening at Harvard Stadium in front of nearly 5,000 fans.

After a scoreless first half, the Breakers seemed to come alive. The attack pressured Saint Louis and starting to put combinations together. The Breakers attack which led the Smith’s second goal of the season started when Amy Rodriquez picked up a loose ball at the 25 yard line. Rodriquez placed a through ball to Kelly Schmedes, who one-touched a ball through two Saint Louis defenders. Smith ran onto the ball and calmly placed the ball by a diving Saint Louis goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Smith now leads the team with two goals and an assist.

Kristine Lilly's first goal of the season came in the 87th minute. Smith sent a cross to the left of Solo and Lilly ran onto the ball and placed a right-footed shot to the far upper corner giving the Breakers a 2-0 lead.

In the first half, the play was held in the middle of the field. Slowly the energy level lifted and both teams started to connect. Saint Louis had the first real threat when Kerri Hanks headed a cross from the Brazilian International Daniela. Boston Breakers goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill stretched out to her right and smothered the shot in the 22nd minute of play. Lilly had a chance in the 31st minute when she received the ball in the box. Lilly’s right-footed shot went wide as she struggled to hold off a St. Louis defender.
The Breakers then committed a foul right outside the box awarding Saint Louis a free kick from the 22 yard line. Daniela stepped up and right-footed a ball to the near post but the shot sailed high at 42nd minute. With a minute to play Saint Louis applied more pressure as two shots were blocked by the solid Breakers defense.

LINEUPS:

BOS: Kristin Luckenbill (GK), Heather Mitts, Amy LePielbet, Sue Weber, Alex Scott, Kelly Smith, Kristine Lilly (Capt.), Angela Hucles, Kasey Moore (Stacy Bishop '74), Kelly Schmedes (Christine Latham, '79), Amy Rodriquez.

STL: Hope Solo (GK), Karri Hanks, Sara Larsson, Kia McNeill, Lisa Stoia (Elise Weber, 73'), Tina Ellertson; Eniola Aluko (Sheree Gray, 45'), Daniela Alves (Francielle Alberto '54), Melissa Tancredi, Lori Chalupny (Capt.).