Beat Earn First Road Win
July 18, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Atlanta Beat News Release
PISCATAWAY, NJ (July 18, 2010) - The Atlanta Beat (2-7-4) earned their first road win Sunday night after a 1-0 defeat of Sky Blue FC (NY/NJ 5-6-3) on the campus of Rutgers University. English forward Eniola Aluko finished the game winner seven minutes into the match to tie the team's earliest goal scored this season.
"Just a super run and a through ball in the air from Angie Kerr on the right wing," said Beat head coach Gareth O'Sullivan. "Eni (Aluko) timed her run superbly and had a great one touch finish to beat the keeper."
The Beat controlled possession for much of the first half combining through the midfield to find Aluko as a target. Midfielder Johanna Rasmussen, who scored two goals in two recent games, had several attacking opportunities on the left flank to spring both Aluko and Mami Yamaguchi on some dangerous scoring chances.
"We played a very offensive style tonight and tried to play the ball to feet as much as possible," said O'Sullivan. "We tried to get forward and get in behind their back four."
Sky Blue FC had a much more direct style of play, looking to find forwards Tasha Kai and Rosana over the top. Both Kai and Rosana had a chance to even the scoreline on a bouncing ball in the Beat's penalty area just before the half. After three minutes of stoppage time, Atlanta held the 1-0 lead going into the break.
Second half play was much more defensive for the Beat. However, there were several attacking chances when New Jersey's Patrizia Panico put one off the crossbar and Kai fired one wide.
Atlanta made several defensive substions to preserve the result against the SBFC attack. "Certainly, we had a chance to get that second goal," said the coach, "but I am pleased with the way we held on in the final minutes when they were throwing everything at us."
With a second WPS win after defeating the Chicago Red Stars at home on Saturday, June 19th, the Beat return home from a three game road swing to face the Chicago Red Stars on Wednesday, July 21 at 7:30 P.M. for Faith and Family Night presented by Chick-fil-A at Chastain Road with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Cobb County's MUST ministries. Following the game, House of Thomas and Karyn Williams will perform a postgame concert at the brand-new KSU Soccer Stadium.
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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from July 18, 2010
- Beat Earn First Road Win - Atlanta Beat
- Sky Blue FC Falls to Atlanta - Sky Blue FC
- Sinclair Leads FC Gold Pride to 2-0 Victory Over Philadelphia Independence - FC Gold Pride
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