Boston Breakers Notebook

Moore Making a Big Adjustment; Smith Returns to Training

By Mark Goodman

June 9, 2009

Making the leap from college to professional sports is challenging enough.

Doing it while learning a new position can only add to that difficulty, but that’s exactly what Kasey Moore is trying to do with the Boston Breakers.

Kasey Moore

Kasey Moore has appeared in six games (starting four) for the Breakers this season. (Photo courtesy of Boston Breakers/DSPics.com)

Moore, the first pick of the third round (15th overall) in the WPS Draft in January, started all 91 matches during her career at the University of Texas as a central defender. She was named to the All-Big 12 First Team all four years, and a first team All-American her sophomore (2006) and senior (2008) seasons.

With Boston, Moore has been adjusting on the fly to playing the holding midfield role. Head coach Tony DiCicco threw Moore right into the fire, starting her in the Breakers’ first four games this season. After some uneven performances, Moore was relegated to the bench, appearing in two of the team’s last four matches as a substitute. Angela Hucles has since played in the holding spot.

Moore admitted recently her confidence took “a little bit” of a hit when she was displaced from the starting lineup.

“I’d like to start every game,” she said. “I’m new to the league, and it’s been a learning experience. I don’t disagree with the decision Tony made; I could’ve been playing better than I was.”

The 21-year old said, however, she is starting to get used to her new role.

“You have a lot more people coming at you from different angles, whereas in defense you see everything in front of you,” Moore said. “I think it’s getting better. It’s only been a month and a half after playing center back for seven years. It’s been a learning experience…it’s becoming a little easier day-by-day.”

DiCicco will be looking for improved passing and ball retention from Moore before she regains regular playing time, but the coach sees plenty of potential in the former Longhorn.

“She’s a fantastic header of the ball and she’s got great range of play,” DiCicco said. “She can clean up a ball and then ping it and get players in 50, 60 yards away. She’s got some really good qualities, too, that I like.”

Moore showed some of those skills while playing for the Boston Aztecs May 30 and 31, including a goal on a 30-yard free kick. Her performances in the Breakers’ affiliate’s wins over Lancaster and Millburn earned Moore co-player of the week honors in the WPSL.

Mundy in the mix
The Breakers made their first roster move of the season Monday, signing attacking midfielder Sophia Mundy to a developmental contract.

Mundy, 23, has been training with the Breakers for most of the year and playing for the Aztecs, where she scored one goal in four matches. The former University of Houston star scored against the Aztecs while playing for the Breakers during the teams’ May 21 friendly.

Mundy has shown a good amount of pace and tenacity during the Breakers’ training sessions, and could very well see some time soon, as Boston kicks off a stretch of four games in 11 days this Sunday with a home game against Saint Louis Athletica.

To make room for Mundy on the 22-woman roster, the Breakers released defender Ariel Harris. A sixth round draft choice in January, Harris had yet to appear for the Breakers in a WPS match. DiCicco said Monday Harris “is more than welcome” to continue training with the team.

Smith returns to practice
Kelly Smith, the league’s second-leading scorer with five goals, returned to training Monday after sitting out all of last week. The English international is nursing a right knee injury that forced her to be substituted just before halftime of Boston’s 2-1 loss to Sky Blue FC May 31.

Smith took part in most of the team’s drills Monday, although clearly at less than full tilt. She immediately put ice on her knee at the conclusion of practice, but said she is hopeful of playing against Athletica Sunday.

Mark Goodman can be reached at newsdesk@soccernewengland.com.