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Kelly Smith scored a goal in each of the Breakers' first three matches. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com) |
Smith is the league�s first-ever monthly award recipient. She scored goals in all three of the games she played during the month of April, leading the Breakers to a 2-1 record in those matches.
The English international was an automatic nominee for the award after claiming the WPS Player of the Week award on April 12 after notching a goal and an assist in the Breakers� 2-0 win over Saint Louis Athletica.
Smith beat out two of Boston�s opponents for the next two weekends, Los Angeles Sol forward Marta and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, who finished second and third, respectively, for the monthly honor.
The award was selected by team ballots, media vote and online fan voting, with each group accounting for one-third of the final tally. Nearly 1,000 fans voted on the league�s web site to help select the winner.
Smith started the month by notching a late equalizer in the Breakers� season opening 2-1 loss at FC Gold Pride on April 5. After the hosts came back to regain the lead in the 90th minute, Smith nearly tied it again with a 22-yard effort that hit the crossbar in stoppage time.
Against Athletica, Smith scored the first goal and then provided the decisive pass on Kristine�s Lilly�s late goal to put the game out of reach.
On April 18, Smith scored the league�s first-ever penalty kick to open the scoring in Boston�s first road victory, a 3-1 triumph over the Washington Freedom.
Smith, 30, is tied for the league lead in goals scored with Marta. Smith has finished second to Marta for FIFA Women�s World Player of the Year honors two of the past three years.
The WPS Player of the Month award is voted on at the end of each month by media, fans and teams. Nominees come from each of the WPS Player of the Week award winners during the month, and write-in votes are accepted. The weekly award is voted on by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR).
Smith and the Breakers are set to take on the Los Angeles Sol in a home-and-home sequence, starting Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Harvard Stadium. The teams will play again next Sunday, May 10, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The third and final meeting between the two clubs takes place in Boston on Aug. 9, the final day of the regular season.
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