Breakers Win Season Opener

Cheney, Smith Lead Boston Over Washington

April 12, 2010

The Boston Breakers’ 2010 first draft pick, Lauren Cheney, showed Saturday that she is an offensive force.

The U.S. women’s national team player notched the first goal of the season in just the 6th minute of play off a Kristine Lilly corner kick to lead the Breakers past the Washington Freedom, 2-1, to commence 2010 WPS Kick-Off Week at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

Breakers 2009 leading scorer Kelly Smith scored only 13 minutes later to secure the victory and give the Breakers a 1-0 start to their second season of Women’s Professional Soccer. Smith launched a shot into the far corner of the goal that past Freedom goalkeeper Erin McLeod for her first goal of the 2010 season.

Washington responded late in the second half as Abby Wambach slotted a ball to Allie Long, finding its way past Breakers goalkeeper Ashley Phillips into the back of the net.

“A good win tonight against a good Washington Freedom team,” said head coach Tony DiCicco. “Early goals by Cheney and Smith, defending by the back four led by Amy LePeilbet, and excellent goalkeeping by Phillips in her first start was the difference.

Phillips, a developmental player, made seven saves for the Breakers in her professional debut. Her biggest stop came in the 86th minute when she denied Lisa de Vanna’s shot from just outside the goal line.

“The difference for us was the collective teamwork,” said DiCicco. “I am very proud of this team.”

The Breakers travel back to Boston for the team’s home opener next Sunday night against 2010 WPS expansion team, the Philadelphia Independence at 6 p.m. at Harvard Stadium.

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