Boston Breakers Open Exhibition Season with 2-2 Draw Against U20 Team

By Erica Hunt—Boston Breakers Communications Director

The Boston Breakers of women's professional soccer tied the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team 2-2 on Wednesday afternoon in a preseason exhibition match at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL.  The game was the first of four scrimmages the Breakers will play during the team’s 10-day training camp in Florida.

Boston College midfielder and Hanson, MA native Kristie Mewis opened the scoring for the U.S. in the 18th minute with a shot from six yards out.   

“Unfortunately the [U.S.] Under-20’s struck first with a pretty good counterattack, aided with a missed defensive clear,” Boston Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco said.  “The Breakers responded very well and continued creating chances.”

Brazilian forward Fabiana put the Breakers on the scoreboard in the 32nd minute after Tiffany Weimer, Kelly Smith, and Sarah Walsh combined to find Fabiana alone on the far post to easily put the ball into the net.  Two minutes later, midfielder Kristine Lilly scored off a corner kick, striking her shot into the upper right corner to give the Breakers a 2-1 lead.

“The second goal was magic,” DiCicco said.  “Smith and Walsh again combined and the ball was played into the penalty area, finding a streaking Lilly who pounded it home from about 12 yards out.”

Mewis equalized play in the 57th minute with a side-footed volley into the upper left corner of the net.

“Overall I was pleased with the effort and how the team responded after going down a goal,” DiCicco said.  “This is a game in which we can build on as we make preparations for our first match down in Washington as well as a match for evaluating which players will make the final roster.”

The Breakers were missing forward Lauren Cheney who will be joining the team in Florida later this week.  Defender Amy LePeilbet was out due to injury.

The Breakers' preseason schedule continues with an exhibition match on Saturday against 2009 WPS Champion Sky Blue FC at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL at 4 PM ET.

Boston Breakers 2, U.S. U-20 WNT 2

Boston   2 0 - 2
USA 1 1 - 2

SCORING SUMMARY

USA—Kristie Newis 18th minute

Breakers—Fabiana 32nd minute

Breakers—Kristine Lilly 34th minute

USA—Kristie Mewis 57th minute

Boston Breakers Lineup: Lipsher (Naeher); Scott; Moore; Angeli (Marquez); Cox; Osborne; Lilly; Smith (del Rio); Walsh (Hemmings); Fabiana (Reynolds); Weimer (Zimmeck)

2010 BOSTON BREAKERS PRESEASON CALENDAR
March 10: Boston Breakers 0, Boston College 0
March 17: Boston Breakers 2, U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team 2
Saturday, March 20: vs Sky Blue FC, Gainesville, FL, 4 p.m. ET
Tuesday, March 23: vs Atlanta Beat, St. Augustine, FL, 7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, March 24: vs University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 7 p.m. ET

About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)

Headquartered in San Francisco, women’s professional soccer (WPS) is the world’s premier soccer league for women with eight teams across the United States featuring the best players from around the world. WPS completed its inaugural season in August 2009 as Sky Blue FC of New Jersey became the first ever WPS Champions.

In 2010, eight teams will each play 24-game schedules from April 10-September 12 including six original WPS teams—Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Gold Pride (Bay Area), Saint Louis Athletica, Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY), and Washington Freedom—and two expansion teams (Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence).

The top four finishers in the regular season will qualify for the 2010 WPS Playoffs scheduled for September 19-26. For more information, visit the WPS official website at www.womensprosoccer.com or follow all the news at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer .