Shorthanded Breakers Figure Out Gold Pride

Schmedes Goal Sends Boston to Win, Second Place in WPS

July 20, 2009

Kelly Schmedes scored her first goal of the season to lead the Boston Breakers past FC Gold Pride, 1-0, in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) action Sunday night at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

Breakers keeper Alli Lipsher earned a clean sheet in Sunday's win over FC Gold Pride. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

The win came despite the Breakers (7-6-3, 24 points) missing seven starters due to national team duty. The depleted lineup was able to record Boston’s second straight shutout, and allows the Breakers to move back into second place in the standings.

It was also Boston’s first victory over Gold Pride in three tries, having lost to them (2-1) in the season opener and tied them 1-1 June 17.

The team sits one point ahead of Saint Louis, and two ahead of Saturday’s opponent, Sky Blue FC, who were 1-0 winners earlier today over the Chicago Red Stars.

Gold Pride (3-9-3, 12 points), who themselves were missing four starters to national team duty, lost their fourth consecutive match and remain winless in their last eight. They are now 10 points behind Sky Blue FC for the fourth and final playoff spot with five matches remaining.

Schmedes’s goal for the Breakers came in the 13th minute, beating the offsides trap from a pass by Mary-Frances Monroe before slotting the ball past Pride goalkeeper Allison Whitworth. The assist was Monroe’s first of the season.

The Breakers had the majority of play and chances in the first half, as Kristine Lilly and Fabiana were constantly dangerous in the attack. Boston held an 8-2 shot advantage in the first 45, including six shots on goal.

Things shifted in the second half as FC Gold Pride pressed for an equalizer. It nearly came in the 57th minute as Tina DiMartino hit a crossbar, followed by a shot from Formiga that hit the post. The Pride outshot Boston, 9-1 in the second half.

Due to the amount of players missing the match, the Breakers had signed two players just for tonight’s match. Erika Sutton started and played the full 90 minutes in defense, while former Boston midfielder Stacy Bishop returned and played 34 minutes in the second half.

The Breakers return home to face Sky Blue FC on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the fourth and final meeting between the two teams. Sky Blue FC has won all three previous meetings.