Breakers Finally Get Second Win

Lilly Game-Winner Completes Comeback

July 5, 2010

Midfielder Kristine Lilly broke a 1-1 deadlock with a winning goal in the 84th minute, giving the Boston Breakers a victory over second place Philadelphia on Independence Day in Women’s Professional Soccer action.

Kristine Lilly - pictured above in action against FC Gold Pride - scored the game-winning goal in the 84th minute of Sunday's 2-1 win over Philadelphia. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

The game winner came when Kelly Smith slotted a pass to the right side of the goal. Lilly ran on to send the ball past a diving Karina LeBlanc and into the net.

It was Lilly’s first goal of 2010, but more importantly, it gave the Breakers their first victory since the season opener April 10 against the Washington Freedom.

After being down 1-0 at the half, Boston came out a different team in the second half. Scoring the equalizer just a minute in, Lauren Cheney received a cross and sent the ball over LeBlanc when she came out to attempt the save. This was Cheney’s second goal of the season.

Philadelphia took the initial lead early in the game, when in the 18th minute, former Breaker Amy Rodriguez received a pass from Lianne Sanderson in Boston’s box, faked a defender, and volleyed it into the upper left corner past goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Philadelphia had several other close opportunities in the first half, but sent their shots wide or over the goal. The Breakers, on the other hand, had most of their success on the wings, as Fabiana and Lilly got down to the corner flags and crossed the ball in on multiple occasions. More often than not, however, LeBlanc was there to intercept.

Despite the win, the Breakers remain in sixth place, and the Independence stay in second.

Defender Ifeoma Dieke, who was signed to Boston’s full roster this past week, made her debut in the final minutes of the second half.

Coming up next for the Breakers is their first match against the 2010 expansion team, the Atlanta Beat, at home on July 11 at 6 pm.