Breakers Draw With Philly

Smith Scores Again In 1-1 Tie

April 19, 2010

BOSTON, Mass. -- Scoring her second consecutive goal in the 2010 season was Boston Breakers midfielder Kelly Smith in the 49th minute, only to be answered back five minutes later with a goal from Philadelphia’s Allison Falk for a final score of 1-1 in Women’s Professional Soccer action at the Boston Breakers’ home opener at Harvard Stadium.

Boston's Liz Bogus (middle, on ground) just misses a chance to put the ball past Independence keeper Karina Leblanc in Sunday night's home opener. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

After a scoreless first half, Smith’s goal came off of a free kick when Liz Bogus was fouled just outside the penalty area. Smith’s kick deflected off Philadelphia’s defensive wall of defense and into the goal putting the Breakers up 1-0.

The goal is Smith’s second goal for the 2010 season, after a goal against Washington Freedom in the Breaker’s season opener last week in Boyds. Md.

Soon after Smith opened the scoring, the Independence fought back, and Lori Lindsey sent a ball to Falk for the equalizer in the 55th minute off a free kick from the right wing. Falk alluded her mark and sent an easy header past Breakers keeper Ashley Phillips.

Both teams competed hard for a winning goal, and when Philadelphia’s Jennifer Buczkowski was sent off the pitch in the 86th minute with her second yellow card of the game, the Breakers tried to capitalize on playing a player up for the remaining minutes.

Boston came close when forward Lauren Cheney shot a ball just over the crossbar in stoppage time, and had yet another opportunity before the final whistle, but Karina LeBlanc made a diving save.

Early in the first half, it looked like the Breakers might get on the board early when captain Kristine Lilly was fouled in the box and was the head referee motioned for a penalty kick. The assistant referee ruled that the play was offside and the ball was put back in Philadelphia’s possession.

“We’re creating chances, but we have to create chances on goal,” said Lilly. “We have to put more on goal. The more we put on goal, the more chances we have to score so you know we keep plugging away and hopefully next weekend we get one more goal than the other team.”

With the tie, both teams remain undefeated, Boston now 1-0-1, and Philadelphia 0-0-2. Boston travels to Saint Louis next Sunday, April 25 to face off against Athletica at 6 p.m. EST.

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