Beat Return Home, Fall 1-0 to Philly
July 17, 2011 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Atlanta Beat News Release
KENNESAW, GA - The Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer fell 1-0 to the Philadelphia Independence on Saturday night at KSU Soccer Stadium when Independence forward Veronica Boquete scored a late goal in the second half.
The start of the match proved to be tough one for both sides as teams worked to find a rhythm. As the Independence settled into the pace of their possession, midfielder Jen Buczkowski struck all three of the game's opening shots within the first 20 minutes.
The match kept fans on the edge of their seats as opportunities opened up on both ends of the field. Beat forward Meghan Lenczyk battled header on frame in the 28th minute, and the Beat found their first dangerous scoring opportunity in the 36th minute when forward Kelly Parker ran onto a through ball to pull ahead of her defender. As Independence goalkeeper Val Henderson approached the play, Parker struck a strong left-footed shot that Henderson barely deflected out of bounds for Beat corner kick.
Teams went into halftime tied at zero but not without a few close opportunities to finish. The Beat held a 3-1 advantage in shots on frame but both sides recorded an even four attempts overall.
Another 45 minutes of back and forth play resumed as Beat midfielder Angela Salem struck a high, powerful shot from the side of the box in the 69th minute. The shot shook the right post and bounced out of play. Nearly a minute later, Beat captain Lori Chalupny took another shot on goal, but Henderson was there for the save.
When the Beat took a corner in the 70th minute, a counterattack led to the game's only goal in the 71st. Philadelphia's Leigh Ann Robinson cleared the corner to a sprinting Natasha Kai. Kai found Sinead Farrelly who one-touched the ball to Boquete for the finish.
As the match came to an end, the Beat earned one final chance to equalize when they were awarded a free kick right just outside of the box in stoppage time. The shot went high and wide of the top right post as the final whistle blew.
The Beat are back in action next Saturday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. against magicJack at the KSU Soccer Stadium. This match will also include a welcome home celebration for all 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup heroes, including the Beat's Carli Lloyd and Heather Mitts as well as magicJack's Hope Solo and Abby Wambach. The match, presented by the U.S. Coast Guard, is also Public Service Appreciation Night. All public service heroes are entitled to one free ticket to the match. Tickets are still available online at www.TheAtlantaBeat.com or by calling (678) 298-4778.
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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from July 17, 2011
- Flash Give Sky Blue First Home Loss of Season - Western New York Flash
- Sky Blue FC Handed First Home Loss of Season - Sky Blue FC
- Beat Return Home, Fall 1-0 to Philly - Atlanta Beat
- Philadelphia Independence Ownership in Germany - Philadelphia Independence
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