Beat Take 5-0 Result In Preseason Opener
March 7, 2011 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Atlanta Beat News Release
KENNESAW, GA (March 7, 2010) The Atlanta Beat opened preseason with a strong 5-0 victory over the University of South Florida at KSU Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Despite only practicing for a week, the Beat broke free of first game jitters and came together with almost an entirely new team.
At the end of the first half, the Beat were up 3-0 on finishes from Megan Jesolva, Kristina Larsen and Vendula Strnadova. Larsen put away the first goal off a redirection before Jesolva added the second and Strnadova rounded out the half, scoring off a USF keeper deflection. The Beat offense also included shots on goal from Lauren Sesselmann and newcomers Colleen Flanagan and Meghan Lenczyk. Goalkeeper Allison Whitworth started the match, keeping a clean sheet in the first half.
The second half was just as explosive with a few Beat subs on the pitch. Goalkeeper Alli Lipsher replaced Whitworth in goal, and Katie Bethke and Kylie Wright saw their first professional action after returning just days ago from U-23 competition in Spain.
Second half scoring included Cat Whitehill's low driven ball off a set piece and Kylie Wright's finish into the bottom left corner. Jesolva, Sesselman, and Megan Lenczyk also added some close attempts and Lipsher came up with a couple big saves, including a breakaway from USF's Taylor Patterson. The Beat finished strong, controlling possession for much of the match.
The team squares off against Auburn University at Auburn on March 9th before returning for a match against the University of North Carolina on March 19th at KSU Soccer Stadium. Tickets to the UNC match are $15 and include a free seat to the Beat's Opening Day, Saturday, April 9. For more information, call 678-298-4780.
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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from March 7, 2011
- Beat Take 5-0 Result In Preseason Opener - Atlanta Beat
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