Beat Fall 2-0 In Season Finale
August 15, 2011 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Atlanta Beat News Release
ROCHESTER (Aug. 14, 2011) - The Atlanta Beat (1-13-4) of Women's Professional Soccer fell 2-0 to the Western New York Flash (14-2-3) in the regular season finale at Sahlen's Stadium on Sunday night with Flash goals scored by Caroline Seger and Marta.
Beat captain Lori Chalupny initiated several close goal scoring opportunities in the opening minutes of the match as her first shot came in the sixth minute before she slid the ball between a Flash defender's legs to meg her way in behind the defense in the 11th minute. The Beat captain's crafty play earned her a rifling shot that forced Flash goalkeeper Ashlynn Harris to make a diving save and send the ball out for a corner.
Midfielder Kacey White stepped up for the kick but was injured during the strike. She left the match and was replaced by midfielder Megan Jesolva.
The Beat forced goalkeeper Harris to make two more saves in the first half. Chalupny again megged the Flash defense to find midfielder Carli Lloyd open for shot from the top of the 18 yard box.in the 16th minute before Lloyd took another shot in the 27th.
Despite several final third attempts from the visiting Atlanta club, Western New York's, Caroline Seger put away the opening goal of the match in the 37th minute. Flash midfielder Brittany Bock played a bent ball into a sprinting Christine Sinclair just above the penalty spot. Sinclair took a heavy strike towards the left side of the goal, but Beat goalkeeper Whitworth made a diving save to block. The ball remained in play and Flash forward Alex Morgan passed the ball to the corner of the six yard box where a waiting Seger redirected for a shot into the bottom right corner
Western New York went into the half with a one goal advantage and maintained their momentum with Flash subs Beverly Goebel replacing Becky Edwards and Yale Averbuch replacing Brittany Bock at the start of the second half.
Christine Sinclair assisted Marta for the final finish of the match in the 75th minute for the 2-0 result. Western New York was today announced regular season champions, and they will host the 2011 WPS Championship at Sahlen's Stadium on Saturday, Aug 27.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Atlanta Beat Head Coach James Galanis
On the first half:
We came out with numbers forward, and we went after them. We had some chances and we had some momentum coming, but unfortunately we didn't capitalize on those opportunities. That's part of the issue of us not having any pure strikers, but I liked the attitude that we came out with this time. We backed off a little bit late in the half, but it was good to see them generate chances nice and early.
On the second half:
We possessed the ball better in the second half, but we didn't defend as well in the second half. We knocked the ball around really nicely for long periods. We let them get behind us on a number of occasions to generate some dangerous chances. I think in general we are not really far from the other teams, and that's a positive statement when you think about the entire year. We've built a young team, but now we need to dip into free agency and next year be a bit more competitive. We know right now that we are really close.
On the season the as whole:
I think tactically we all improved. Most importantly, everybody grew in confidence. We have developed players that are going to come back next year when this is all not going to be new to them. Looking back, the foundation we have built for the future has been exceptional. Like I keep saying, once we pick up a few players, we will be a nice team next year. What stands out this most to me this year is improvement.
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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from August 15, 2011
- Flash Forward Marta Captures Third Consecutive Puma Golden Boot Award - WPS
- Beat Fall 2-0 In Season Finale - Atlanta Beat
- Breakers Heading to Playoffs - Boston Breakers
- Flash Crowned Regular Season Champions After 2-0 Shutout - Western New York Flash
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