Los Angeles-Boston: Captain Shannon Steers Sol to Victory

The Los Angeles Sol can now claim the honor of being the first team in Women's Professional Soccer history to have beaten each of its opponents at least once.

Down 1-0 and the lack of form rearing its ugly head yet again, manager Abner Rogers went forward to bring in Camille Abily. Thanks to her presence, a Marta equalizer and a stoppage-time penalty by team captain Shannon Boxx was all the Sol needed to claim a 2-1 victory over the Boston Breakers at Harvard Stadium.

With the victory, Boston was eliminated from postseason contention and the final berth went to Sky Blue FC, who will travel to the Maryland SoccerPlex in the WPS First Round next Sunday.

Boston opened the proceedings early, as Kristine Lilly's long ball found Kelly Smith in the 16th minute to send one past Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc.

However, Los Angeles-who were winless in the past three games-were not going to go down quietly into the cool Cambridge evening.

And they went to work in the second half.

In the 59th minute, Marta earned her tenth goal of the season. Breakers goalkeeper Kristine Luckenbill was too late off her line, and the Brazlian international sent one out of her reach.

Boston was showing signs of desperation, and with the crowd on the edge of their seats, the cheers turned to howls as a penalty was awarded to Los Angeles. A foul by Alex Scott on Marta took all the air out of Harvard Stadium.

Boxx tapped home the conversion to earn her third goal of the campaign.

Los Angeles finishes the regular season 12-3-5 (41 points), while Boston ends their season 7-9-4 (25 points).

The Sol will host the 2009 WPS Championship Game on August 22, 2009. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET and will be covered by Fox Sports Net.


09.09.2009

Cambridge, MA – Harvard Stadium at Harvard University

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


1 2 F

Los Angeles 0 2 2

Boston 1 0 1


Scoring Summary

BOS – Kelly Smith (Kristine Lilly) 17’

LA – Marta (Aly Wagner) 60’

LA – Shannon Boxx (PK) 93’+


Lineups

Boston Breakers: Kristin Luckenbill; Heather Mitts, Candace Chapman (Amy Rodriguez – 74’), Amy LePeilbet, Alex Scott; Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Maggie Tomecka, Mary-Frances Monroe (Kelly Schmedes – 64’); Kelly Smith, Fabiana (Christine Latham – 68’).



Los Angeles Sol: Karina LeBlanc; Stephanie Cox, Brittany Bock, Allison Falk, Keri Sanchez (Camille Abily – 46’); Shannon Boxx ©, Manya Makoski, Aya Miyama, Aly Wagner; Han Duan (McCall Zerboni – 87’), Marta.


Misconduct Summary

LA – Shannon Boxx (caution) 25’

LA – Aly Wagner (caution) 45’

BOS – Heather Mitts (caution) 92’+

BOS – Kelly Smith (caution) 92’+


Statistics


Los Angeles Boston


Shots 8 (4) 14 (5)

Shots on Goal 2 (0) 6 (2)

Saves 5 (1) 0 (0)

Fouls 13 (6) 10 (1)

Corners 4 (2) 10 (5)

Offside 1 (0) 1 (1)


Referee: Ted Unkel

Linesmen: Danielle Magouirk, Victor A. Matheson

Fourth Official: Jan Halaska

Attendance: 6,631

Weather: Cloudy and 68 degrees