Breakers Beat Freedom in Women's Professional Soccer
Breakers 1, Freedom 0
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009; 10:33 PM
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 24 -- Christine Latham scored the game's only goal in the 38th minute of the game to lift the Boston Breakers to a 1-0 victory over the Washington Freedom. The game winner was set up by an assist from Breakers standout Heather Mitts.
"We played very poorly in the first half and gave Boston too many chances," said Washington Freedom Coach Jim Gabarra. "In the last 20 or 30 minutes I thought we played well, had some chances and came very close to tying the game up."
Freedom goalie Erin McLeod gave up her first goal in three games and kept Washington in the game with a brilliant save in the 52nd minute when Amy Rodriguez had a clear shot on goal. McLeod dove and managed to push the ball out to keep the score 1-0.
Washington finished the game with a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal, while Boston had a 7-1 edge in corners.
Abby Wambach sat out the first 54 minutes of the game after tweaking her hamstring against St. Louis. Wambach was not able to lead Washington to a goal but her presence picked up the Freedom offense.
"I was pleased with how she did in warm-ups," said Gabarra. "I was hoping for 15 or 20 minutes out of her but early in the second half we asked her if she could play 40 and she said she was ready to go."
The Freedom had one last chance at tying things up when Homare Sawa drilled a shot on goal in the 89th minute. Breakers goalie Allison Lipsher juggled the ball for a second on the line before pulling it in for the save.
The Freedom is now in third place (4-4-4, 16 points) with St. Louis playing the Sol later last night. Athletica is 4-4-2 heading into its game, and a victory would propel St. Louis above the Freedom.
"Except for the Sol things are just getting tighter and tighter in the playoff race ," said Gabarra. "This is a tough stretch for us. We had a good result in St. Louis and were looking to do the same tonight. Now we just need to get some rest, get some work in and get ready to go to Chicago next week and then host Los Angeles."
The Freedom is back in action next Wednesday, when it travels to Chicago to take on the Red Stars at 8:30 p.m.
