Saint Louis Athletica clinched a playoff spot and home field for the WPS Super Semifinal by beating the Boston Breakers 1-0 at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park on Saturday night.
Eniola Aluko scored the game-winner in the 36th minute when Amanda Cinalli slipped a through ball to Aluko inside the penalty area. Aluko slotted home her shot beating Boston goalkeeper Allison Lipsher. The goal was Aluko’s sixth of the year.
The Breakers who had head coach Tony DiCicco watching from the stands after his suspension had a couple of threats to open the scoring earlier in the half. The first came in the fifth minute when Kristine Lilly and Jennie Nobis pressured Saint Louis defender Kia McNeil into giving up the ball. Lilly then broke in on goal but fired her shot wide of the near post.
Boston had another chance in the 16th minute off a corner. Lilly's corner was headed out of the box by the Athletica defense right to Kelly Smith at the top of area, but her shot went just over the crossbar.
Athletica had a chance to add to their lead in first half stoppage time when Niki Cross took a free drive from a free kick 30 yards out that went just wide of the left post.
Into the second half Smith nearly equalised for Boston in the 65th minute when Heather Mitts sent a pass to her in the penalty area. Smith turned and shot toward the upper right corner but Hope Solo made a diving save to deny Smith and keep the game 1-0.
2nd half substitute Sarah Walsh nearly sealed the game for Athletica in the 86th minute when she latched on to a though ball outpaced the defender and took a shot from distance that hit the left post and bounced safely back to Lipsher.
Athletica next play Chicago Red Stars for their last home game on Wednesday night 5th August. Having clinched 2nd place they can rest players in readiness for the playoffs.
Boston's last game is at Harvard Stadium Sunday 9th August to 1st place Los Angles Sol. Boston need a win to make the playoffs.
“My biggest dream is to give St. Louis a title in the WPS and god willing we will make this happen. I identify a lot with the fans here, the fans are part of the club, they come here to have fun and they believe in the work we do so we want to return that by giving them some happiness.” Said Head coach Jorge Barcellos.
“I think we played pretty well,” said Breakers assistant coach Lisa Cole “There were moments in the first half in which we kind of got away from our game plan. We put together a good half and put together several good opportunities that just didn’t fall for us. I’m proud of how we played and competed, but we have to finish.”
Lineups:
Saint Louis Athletica: Hope Solo; Kendall Fletcher, Kia McNeill, Tina Ellertson, Elise Weber (Stephanie Logterman, 55); Angie Woznuk (Sarah Walsh, 61), Lori Chalupny(C), Amanda Cinalli, Melissa Tancredi,; Eniola Aluko (Erin Walter, 93), Niki Cross.
Boston Breakers: Alli Lipsher; Heather Mitts (Abby Crumpton, 87), Candace Chapman, Amy LePeilbet, Nancy Augsustyniak-Goffi; Maggie Tomecka, Fabiana, Kelly Smith (Christine Latham, 72), Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly(C) ; Jennie Nobis (Kelly Schmedes, 58).
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