Breakers Move Into Second After 1-0 Win at FC Gold Pride

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.

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. 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.

The Pride (3-9-3, 12 points), who were missing four starters to national team duty, lost for the 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 goal 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 the 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.

Box Score
July 19, 2009
Buck Shaw Stadium—Santa Clara, Calif.

GOALS  1  2  – Total
Boston  1  0     1
Pride     0  0     0

Scoring Summary
First Half:
1 – BOS: Schmedes 1 (Monroe 1), 13th minute

Second Half:
None

Stats
Total Shots: FCGP 11 BOS 9; Shots on Goal: FCGP 3 BOS 6; Saves: Allison Whitworth (FCGP) 5, Alli Lipsher (BOS) 3; Corners: FCGP 5 BOS 5; Fouls: FCGP 15 BOS 10; Offsides: FCGP 1 BOS 1.

Lineups
BOSTON: Alli Lipsher; Abby Crumpton, Kasey Moore, Nancy Augustyniak-Goffi, Erika Sutton, Maggie Tomecka, Kristine Lilly, Mary-Frances Monroe (Sophia Mundy,62nd minute), Kelly Schmedes, Fabiana (Stacy Bishop, 66th minute), Jennie Nobis (Christine Latham, 71st minute).

FC GOLD PRIDE: Allison Whitworth (GK), Carrie Dew, Kristen Graczyk, Tina DiMartino (Adriane, 85th minute), Leigh Ann Robinson, Greet Barnes, Formiga, Tiffeny Milbrett, Tiffany Weimer (Kimberly Yokers, 46th minute), Erika (Sissi, 64th minute), Eriko Arakawa.

Misconduct Summary                                                                                              
Cautions:
FC Gold Pride: None

Boston: Fabiana, 59th minute.

Ejections: None.

Attendance: 2,203
Weather: 89 degrees, Sunny
Officials: R: Kari Seitz; A1: Veronica Perez; A2: Mike Kampmeinert; FO: Vicente Cortes

Photo Credit: David Silverman isi photos

The previous story is excerpted from a press release by Todd Civin, who is a free lance writer for the Bleacher Report. Todd can be contacted for comment or hire at [e-mail]. His stories can be reprinted only with permission by writing to Todd at this address. Todd is also a supporter of A Glove of Their Own—the award winning children's story that is capturing the heart of the nation. Visit www.agloveoftheirown.com for details.