LA 0, BOS 0: Offensive Luck Escapes Sol in Defensive Draw

Shannon Boxx's Los Angeles Sol played Kristine Lilly and the Boston Breakers to a 0-0 tie Sunday afternoon.  (Andrew Katsampes | isiphotos.com)

The writing was on the wall for Abner Rogers' Los Angeles Sol to get their act together and adjust on Sunday against the Boston Breakers on Mother's Day at the Home Depot Center.

The Breakers goalkeeper goes by the name of Kristin Luckenbill. Tony DiCicco's side must be counting their blessings to have the keeper put the luck in her last name.

Squandered chances from Marta, shots donked off the woodwork from Han Duan, and some timely defense from Boston consigned the Sol to splitting the points with the visitors in a scoreless 0-0 draw.

The Sol threatened as early as the sixth minute, when Kristin Luckenbill parried away a threatening volley from forward Han Duan. Duan had two more chances in the first half, with a shot just over the cross bar in the 23rd, and another hitting the post in the 38th.

However, thanks to a better second half from Boston, the Breakers outshot Los Angeles in the match, 11-8. Karina LeBlanc made two key saves in that half to preserve her shutout.

Referee Sandra Serafini ran a tight ship, dishing out two yellow cards to LA and Boston.

Rogers admitting that the finishing left much to be deserved. “I thought we played a good first half but we lacked quality finishing," he said following the match. “Boston is a very good team and you’re not going to get many opportunities to score against them.

"The chances were there today, but we need to finish better.”

LeBlanc was pleased with splitting the points. “They have a dynamic team," she said after the match. "It was a really good battle and we matched up well with them physically.”

DiCicco had no complaints from splitting the points.

“Getting the point on the road is not a bad result,” DiCicco said following the match. “I’m not totally satisfied, but I think it was probably the right result. It was an even game and hard-fought by both teams.

"I’m proud of the way our players responded in the second half. It was a little hot out here for us and they stood strong through the end, which is a compliment to our fitness staff.”

Los Angeles has a quick turnaround before they host Sky Blue FC on Friday, May 15 at 10:30PM ET. The Breakers will return to Harvard Stadium on Sunday, May 17 to face the Washington Freedom. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00PM ET, and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.
Boston (3-2-1) 0
Los Angeles (3-1-2) 0

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS
Time Team ## Player Card Reason
50 Boston 16 Angela Hucles Yellow Card Unsporting Behavior
79 Los Angeles 7 Shannon Boxx Yellow Card Unsporting Behavior
89 Boston 25 Nancy Augustyniak Yellow Card Unsporting Behavior
92+ Los Angeles 20 Camille Abily Yellow Card Unsporting Behavior

SHOTS 1 2 Total
Boston 5 6 11
Los Angeles 7 1 8

SHOTS ON GOAL 1 2 Total
Boston 1 2 3
Los Angeles 1 0 1

SAVES 1 2 Total
Boston 1 0 1
Los Angeles 1 2 3

CORNER KICKS 1 2 Total
Boston 0 3 3
Los Angeles 2 1 3

OFFSIDES 1 2 Total
Boston 0 1 1
Los Angeles 0 1 1

FOULS 1 2 Total
Boston 10 6 16
Los Angeles 5 13 18

Officials:
Referee:
Sandra Serafini

Asst. Referee:
Maurizio Laudani
Ian Anderson

Fourth Official:
Daniel Radford