BOSTON BREAKERS 1 - 1 FC GOLD PRIDE

Jennie Nobis came on in the 2nd half to earn the Boston Breakers a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against FC Gold Pride. A draw that puts them tied 4th in the league with FC Gold Pride and Sky Blue FC.

The Pride took control of the game in the first half, creating numerous scoring opportunities and out shot the Breakers, 7-1, in the first 45 minutes of play. The Pride made the most of their early attack as a ball deflected from a defensive tackle right to Christine Sinclair’s feet, about 25 yards out. The Pride’s leading goal scorer fired off a shot right to the bottom right corner of the net for her fifth tally of the year. Canada’s female all-time leading goal scorer has now scored for the Pride in the last three consecutive games, giving Sinclair the longest active scoring streak in the league. She trails Boston striker Kelly Smith (4/11-5/2; 4 games) and the Sol’s Camille Abily (5/24-6/7; 4 games) for the longest streak of consecutive games with a goal.
They maintained a composed possession throughout the half, giving the Breakers only a few scoring chances, such as in the 33rd minute, when Amy Rodriguez ran onto a through ball to cross to Christine Latham who jumped but just missed the header. Two minutes later, Kasey Moore got onto the end of a free kick but Nicole Barnhart was right behind her to make the save.

The second half looked like it would be much of the same as FC Gold Pride came out again with high pressure. Within the first minute Sinclair, looking for another, had a dangerous shot, but Alli Lipsher making her 1st start tipped it to hit off the crossbar.

Then the tables turned and the Breakers dominated play and pressured the FC Gold Pride defense. Boston would outshoot the Pride, 12-4, in the second half.
With a series of opportunities, it was only a matter of time before they grabbed a goal. Nobis, who came on at halftime, had several close calls leading up to her goal, one which was a shot sent just over the crossbar and another where Barnhart beat her in the foot race to the ball.

In the 76th minute, Smith, who is hampered by a knee injury and came on in the second half, sent a corner kick to Nobis on the far post, who then headed the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal for the tie. The goal was Nobis’ first of the season, and the assist was Smith’s second. It was also great to someone else score for Boston other than Smith.

Following their goal, the Breakers pushed hard for a win. Kristine Lilly hit a shot in the 80th minute that hit the crossbar, and in stoppage time Nobis had another header that this time went into Barnhart’s hands.

Marisa Abegg and Kimberly Yokers - defensive substitutions for the Pride in the second half - helped to preserve the tie.

Both teams could have done with the 3 pts as both hadn't won in the last 4 games - not championship form.

The Breakers, head to Chicago to take on the Red Stars on Sunday at 4pm ET/1pm PT. FC Gold Pride, meanwhile, travels to Los Angeles to face the league-leading Sol on Sunday in a match that will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel and webcast at womensprosoccer.com(6pm ET/3pm PT).

“We would have liked to have gotten a win; we saw the worst and the best in this team,” said Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco in pointing out the vast differences in his team between halves. “It’s a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story. It was really disappointing in the first half, and then they came out and showed how good they really can be.”

"A point on the road is always good,” said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. “We would prefer three points especially since we're batting with Boston for the fourth place spot. We had an exceptional first half and created some great chances. In the second half Boston came out with a lot of energy and high pressed and made it a little difficult to play. It took us all the way until they scored a goal for us to get settled in and start playing good soccer again. It’s interesting how the game works out, they get a goal, and we start playing well again. At the end of the day you have to be pleased to go on a long trip and getting a point.”

Lineups:

BOSTON: Alli Lipsher; Alex Scott, Candace Chapman (Kelly Smith 62nd), Amy LePeilbet, Heather Mitts; Kasey Moore, Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Stacy Bishop (Nancy Augustyniak-goffi, 46th); Amy Rodriiguez, Christine Latham (Jennifer Nobis, 46th).

FC GOLD PRIDE: Nicole Barnhart, Rachel Buchler, Carrie Dew, Leigh Ann Robinson (Marisa Abegg, 84th), Rachel Grazyk; Tina DiMartino (Kimberly Yokers, 62nd), Formiga, Leslie Osborne; Eriko Arakawa, Tiffeny Milbrett, Christine Sinclair (Tiffany Weimer, 73rd)