Boston 2, Los Angeles 1: Breakers Flip Switch in Victory Over the Sol

If the power switch was off last week, it was certainly on this week.

With Kelly Smith back on the field for the Boston Breakers, April's WPS Player of the Month proved that she earned her stripes against the Los Angeles Sol, who saw Marta, Camille Abiliy, and Han Duan also return from international duty.

Smith became an Energizer bunny in blue. The England international's goal in the second minute from Kelly Schmedes set the tone for Tony DiCicco's club to rebound from their 4-0 loss to the Chicago Red Stars in a big way: with a 2-1 win over the Sol at Harvard Stadium.

Adding to the scoring feast for Boston (3-2) at Soldiers Field was captain Kristine Lilly, who made it 2-0 in the 55th minute.

Brittany Bock scored for the visitors in the 63rd minute with a feed from Aya Miyama, but Breakers keeper Kristin Luckinbill was able to outduel her counterpart, the Sol's Karina LeBlanc.

Boston's home field advantage was emphasized by their full-out attack on the Sol defense. The Breakers outshot the Sol, 14-11, with more shots on target (6 to 4).

Los Angeles (3-1-1) did not help their cause by committing three offsides, compared to only one for Boston.

With the win, the Breakers are now in second, one point behind the Sol, who remain at the top the table.

“They had a purpose, especially in the first few minutes," said LeBlanc following the match. "After we relaxed and started to play our game. After the second goal, being the fighters we are, we came back and had a few chances.

"We have them at home next week. Anytime you lose, you want the chance to avenge that as soon as possible.  We have that chance next week.”

Rogers agreed. “We’ll take a lot of positives from the game," he said following the match.  "Even after they scored the second goal, we never put our heads down. 

"We will learn from it.”

And learn they must. The Sol have an opportunity to return the favor on Sunday, May 10 at the Home Depot Center. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

05.02.2009

Cambridge, Mass. – Harvard Stadium

Boston Breakers – Los Angeles Sol 2:1 (1:0)

                                    1          2          F

Boston                         1          1          2

Los Angeles                 0          1          1

Scoring Summary

BOS – Kelly Smith (Heather Mitts) 2’

BOS – Kristine Lilly (Stacy Bishop) 55’

LOS –  Brittany Bock (Aya Miyama) 63’

Lineups

Los Angeles Sol: Karina LeBlanc; Manya Makoski, Matina Franko, Brittany Bock, Stephanie Cox; Camille Abily (Katie Larkin: 75), Shannon Boxx (c), Aya Miyama; Aly Wagner, Han Duan, Marta.

 
Boston Breakers: Kristin Luckinbill; Heather Mitts, Amy LePeilbet, Sue Weber, Alex Scott; Kelly Smith, Angela Hucles, Stacy Bishop; Kelly Schmedes (Kasey Moore: 76), Chritine Latham (Amy Rodriguez: 64), Kristine Lilly (c).

Misconduct Summary

Statistics                                  Los Angeles                Boston

Shots                                       11 (4)                           14 (8)

Shots on Goal                         4 (0)                             6 (4)

Saves                                       4 (3)                             3 (0)

Fouls                                       10 (4)                           11 (6)

Corners                                   7 (2)                             5 (3)

Offside                                     3 (2)                             1 (1)


Referee: Kari Seitz

SAR: Danielle Magourik

JAR: Douglas Coutts

4th Official: Michael Rugnetta

Attendance: 8,031

Weather: Partly Cloudy and 71 degrees

Nick Ammazalorso of Leader Enterprises contributed to this report.