Beat Score Earliest Franchise Goal But Fall
August 15, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Atlanta Beat News Release
KENNESAW, GA (Aug. 15, 2010) - The Atlanta Beat scored the earliest goal in franchise history Sunday night with a 2-1 first half lead over the Philadelphia Independence before two second half Independence goals resulted in the final 3-2 scoreline.
The Beat struck first in the fourth minute of play when Johanna Rasmussen received a pass from Ramona Bachmann to strike an outside of the foot finish with her left. "We started with a high tempo," said Beat head coach Gareth O'Sullivan. "We showed very well and were able to score two early goals and had a chance to score a third one before the half." Beat midfielder Lori Chalupny tallied Atlanta's second goal when midfielder Aya Miyama sent a through ball in for Chalupny to slot past Independence goalkeeper, Karina LeBlanc.
Philadelphia's opening chances came as Independence defender Heather Mitts carried the ball up the sideline and crossed it to Lori Lindsey, who nailed the crossbar with her header. Just seconds later, Caroline Seger found Tina DiMartino open on the right side of the net, but Atlanta keeper Hope Solo came up with a huge save to tip it over the bar.
" Unfortunately," said O'Sullivan, "we gave up a goal before halftime on a set piece which was disappointing." In the 41st minute, a free kick from Lianne Sanderson deflected off Atlanta's defensive wall and landed at the feet of Philly's Tina DiMartino who buried the ball in the top corner, to end that half at 2-1.
"I think getting the goal before halftime was vital" said Head Coach Paul Riley. "It gave us some spark going into the second half...the girls knew they were still in it. Plus, it was a brilliant goal from Tina."
Fifeteen minutes into the second half, DiMartino struck again to equalize for Philadelphia after Amy Rodriguez slotted a ball to DiMartino on the left side for another left footed finish in the far corner. Philly's chances continued in the second half as Danesha Adams sent a shot over the bar in the 78th minute, and seconds later her corner kick found a diving Johanna Lohman on the back post but her header slipped wide. Lohman scored three minutes later when she finished a back pass from Amy Rodriguez to put the Independence ahead 3-2. Adams started the play from the sideline and sent the ball across to Rodriguez, who dropped it to Lohman from ten yards out for the finish.
It was a tale of two halves as Atlanta dominated the first scoring chances and Philly finished two in the second. "I'm disappointed that we gave up the late goal when we did," said O'Sullivan. "We had a great start to the game, and I wish that we'd taken advantage of going ahead early like we did."
The Beat return to action against the Boston Breakers on Saturday, Aug. 21 in New Britain, Connecticut.
Quoteables
Head Coach Gareth O'Sullivan
I'm disappointed that we game up the late goal when we did. We had a great start to the game and I wish that we'd taken advantage of going ahead early like we did.
We started with a high tempo and showed very well and were able to score two early goals. Unfortunately, we gave up a goal before halftime on a set piece which was disappointing.
Head Coach Paul Riley
On tonight's match..
I'm pleased with the win tonight. We came out slow and playing the negative ball- we kept playing backwards and they capitalized on it. This was our fourth game in two weeks and it's been mostly the same players on the field, so they were tired. But, we fought back and I'm proud of the effort. Plus, the fresh legs coming off the bench made a huge different. We want to give certain people a rest, and this week off should be really beneficial for us.
On scoring in the 42nd minute...
Our goal before the half was absolutely vital for us, plus I thought it was an absolutely brilliant one from Tina. It gave us some spark going into the second half...the girls knew they were still in it.
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