BOSTON BREAKERS 1 - 1 WASHINGTON FREEDOM

Yeah!




Boston defender Alex Scott scored the equalizer in the second half to ensure the Breakers’ kept their undefeated home record in a 1-1 draw versus the Washington Freedom on Sunday evening at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge, Mass.
Scott’s goal came in the 49th minute when Christine Latham played a ball forward toward Scott, who then sprinted past a Freedom defender on the right side into the box and blasted a shot over Freedom goalkeeper Erin McLeod into the top center of the goal. It was the first goal of the season for the England international, and Latham’s first assist. Top save!
Washington got on the board first with a goal in the 33rd minute. Australian forward Lisa De Vanna set up Rebecca Moros with a through ball to the right side of the penalty area, and Moros put the ball in the bottom right corner for the 1-0 lead.

The Freedom competed well without star forward Abby Wambach, who sat out due to a one game suspension. Washington enjoyed the better of the chances up until the first goal, and had nearly scored just moments earlier. A bizarre deflection in midfield in the 30th minute sent De Vanna on a one-on-one with Boston goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill, but Luckenbill dove for the save.

Boston responded for the remainder of the half with numerous opportunities, but was unable to get on the end of them. The Breakers continued their momentum into the second half, leading to Scott’s equalizer.The Breakers out-shot the Freedom, 14-9, and dominated much of the second half but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities to come away with the three points. Both teams pushed hard for another goal in a game that quickly became very physical.

In the 64th minute, Scott had a chance for a second goal with a pass from Kelly Smith, but she rocketed the ball just wide of the right post. Three minutes, compatriot Smith forced an athletic save from McLeod with a shot from 25 yards out, which the Freedom keeper was able to get a hand on to tip it over.With just six minutes remaining, Candace Chapman, fresh off the bench, served a low cross into the center of the penalty area for Kristine Lilly, but she sent the ball over the goal. She was right in front of goal and should have scored.

Boston missed several chances to get the 3 pts and Washington played well without Wambach.They put on a much better defensive game. McLeod had a great 1st game quickly establishing that she is the one to beat for that number 1 GK jersey. With a solid keeper the Freedom can now push on.

“This was probably the highest level game we have played this year,” said Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco. “It was very fast and quick.I was proud of the way we played in the second half. We went for three points tonight, but give Washington credit for their exceptional first half. After their goal, we finally started to play our game and put together some good chances.Their goalkeeper came up with the save of the season on Kelly Smith,”

“Overall it was probably a fair result,” said Freedoms Head Coach Jim Gabarra. “It’s good to get a point on the road against a team that’s good at home and in second place. We’re satisfied with the result and we’ll continue to try to get better.

On Moros's goal " Without Abby it offered the opportunity for other players to step up and she took the opportunity pretty well along with Lisa [De Vanna] and Allie [Long],”

On Erin McLeod's 1st game “Erin was solid,” Gabarra said. “She was aggressive when she needed to be aggressive. When we needed the big save she made the big save. I’m very happy with her and very happy for her.”


Lineups:

BOSTON: Kristin Luckenbill; Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Sue Weber, Heather Mitts; Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Stacy Bishop (Candace Chapman, 79th minute), Kelly Smith; Kelly Schmedes, Christine Latham (Amy Rodriguez, 64th minute).

WASHINGTON: Erin McLeod; Jill Gilbeau, Cat Whitehill, Alex Singer, Becky Sauerbrunn; Lori Lindsey, Sonia Bompastor, Homare Sawa; Allie Long, Lisa De Vanna (Joanna Lohman, 62nd minute, Rebecca Moros (Claire Zimmeck, 82nd minute).