WPS: Kelly Smith, Kristine Lilly Produce Historic Win for Boston Breakers

Cambridge, Mass. (April 11) – Boston Breakers forward Kelly Smith showed once again that she is an offensive force. The English National team star notched a goal and an assist to lead the Boston Breakers past St. Louis 2-0 on a rain-soaked Saturday evening at Harvard Stadium.

Breakers captain Kristine Lilly scored her first goal of the season late in the game to secure the victory and help Boston improve to 1-1 on the season, while St. Louis drops to 0-2 in Women’s Professional Soccer action.

After a scoreless first half, the Breakers seemed to come alive. The attack pressured Saint Louis and starting to put combinations together.

The Breakers attack which led the Smith’s second goal of the season started when Amy Rodriquez picked up a loose ball at the 25-yard line.

Rodriquez placed a through ball to Kelly Schmedes, who one-touched a ball through two Saint Louis defenders. Smith ran onto the ball and calmly placed the ball by a diving Saint Louis goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Smith now leads the team with two goals and an assist. Last week she became the first player to have scored in both U.S. professional women’s soccer leagues. Smith played for the WUSA’s Philadelphia Charge.

“Obviously it’s a big win. Nobody wants to go into a third game without any points,” said Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco.

“Everybody was a little disappointed, not with our effort, but with our level of play last week. This (Saint Louis) was a good team.  It could have gone either way. For us to get three points was huge.’’

Lilly’s first goal of the season came in the 87th minute. Smith sent a cross to the left of Solo and Lilly ran onto the ball and placed a right-footed shot to the far upper corner, giving the Breakers a 2-0 lead.

In the first half, the play was held in the middle of the field. Slowly the energy level lifted and both teams started to connect.

Saint Louis had the first real threat when Karri Hanks headed a cross from the Brazilian International Daniela.

Boston Breakers goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill stretched out to her right and smothered the shot in the 22nd minute of play.

Lilly had a chance in the 31st minute when she received the ball in the box. Lilly’s right-footed shot went wide as she struggled to hold off a St. Louis defender.

The Breakers then committed a foul right outside the box awarding Saint Louis a free kick from the 22-yard line.

Daniela stepped up and right-footed a ball to the near post but the shot sailed high at 42nd minute. With a minute to play, Saint Louis applied more pressure as two shots were blocked by the solid Breakers defense.

The Boston Breakers next two matches will be on the road. Boston will travel to Washington, D.C., next week to take on the Washington Freedom on Saturday, April 18 (7 p.m.).

The Breakers next home game will be on May 2 at Harvard Stadium (7 p.m.). For more information about the Boston Breakers, go to  www.bostonbreakers.com

Box Score
April 11, 2009 – Cambridge, Mass. – Harvard Stadium
ATT: 4,804

GOALS        1     2     Total
St. Louis      0    0    0
Boston         0    2    2   

SCORING SUMMARY
Minute     Team       Goal
53’     Boston – Kelly Smith (Schmedes, Rodriquez)
87’    Boston – Kristine Lilly (Smith)


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Photo Credit: brighton-community.blogspot.com