Beat Tie 0-0 In Final 2010 Home Match
September 5, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Atlanta Beat News Release
KENNESAW, GA (September 5, 2010) - The Atlanta Beat (5-12-6) finished their final 2010 home match with a 0-0 draw against New Jersey's Sky Blue FC (7-10-6) at KSU Soccer Stadium on Sunday night in front of 4, 752 fans.
The Beat and Sky Blue FC played an aggressive possession-style match, contributing to close opportunities on both ends of the pitch.
The Beat's Monica Ocampo had an early attempt in the eighth minute that just missed wide left. Ocampo followed with a shot in the 12th, but Sky Blue goalkeeper Meghann Burke made the save.
Sky Blue forward Tasha Kai returned the favor with a header in the 31st minute that missed wide. Midfielder Meghan Schnur, who took the a large portion of the night's set pieces, took a shot on goal in the 37th minute from a free kick just outside the box. Beat goalkeeper Hope Solo came up with the save, increasing her total number of saves on the season to 98.
Nearing the end of the first half, Sky Blue's Kendall Fletcher concluded a New Jersey rally with a shot in the 40th minute that missed high over the crossbar to finish the opening half.
Beat midfielder Johanna Rasmussen, who came into the match after the break, contributed heavy pressure down the left side, forcing Sky Blue's Burke to hold on strong for the full ninety minutes. Burke had four saves on the night.
The game proved physical, producing nine fouls and a yellow card issued to Sky Blue's Carli Lloyd. The Beat's Mami Yamaguchi took the ensuing set piece, but Atlanta was unable to capitalize. This came after a 60th minute shot by Beat defender Leigh Ann Robinson and a set of three shots by Rasmussen in the last three minutes of the match.
On the other end of the field, Sky Blue's Yael Averbuch, Laura Kalmari and Keeley Dowling tested Hope Solo with second half shots of their own. Solo made some key saves down the stretch to preserve the scoreless result.
The final scoreline continues a loss, win-or-tie, loss, win-or-tie pattern that started with the first meeting between these two cubs. In each match, the teams have been separated by a single goal or less.
Tonight's 0-0 tie puts Sky Blue on the brink of playoff elimination.
The Atlanta Beat has an opportunity to use this game as momentum going into the 2011 season. As team captain Angie Kerr says, "we're working on putting that team together that will work for us next year."
The Beat return to action on Saturday, Sept. 11 for their final match of the 2010 season as they travel to face the fourth-place Washington Freedom.
Atlanta Beat Team Captain Angie Kerr
"These past couple of games have been playing with our focus. We aren't giving up even though we didn't make the playoffs; we're building for next year. We're working on putting together that team that is going to work for us next year."
"It's been a season of ups and downs and we've been through a lot, but I'm really proud of our girls. We've really stuck together and we didn't form any cliques. This is our last home game, it's kind of sad, but it's bittersweet."
QUOTEABLES
Atlanta Beat Coach James Galanis
"We're just going to continue with the stuff we've been working on. We came here with a different style of play and that was our goal just to continue to play the way I've been teaching them. They executed it really well."
" The team needs to star, not just one individual. The team needs to star. Everybody defends and everybody attacks, and we all need to contribute the entire game."
"We're just going to continue to try to improve. We're in it with a new playing style and we're just going to try to move forward. We're trying to implement that playing style, so nothing changes this week. We're just get back to training again and trying to work hard to improve on the things we've been doing these past couple of weeks."
"I'm just sticking to one formation so it's not too confusing right now."
Sky Blue FC Coach Rick Stainton
"We were chasing a win obviously, with playoff implications. It wasn't a win, but it was good. Right now, Chicago is beating Washington, so it's giving hope for us for the final game."
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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from September 5, 2010
- FC Gold Pride Sweeps Season Series Against Boston with 2-0 Victory - FC Gold Pride
- Beat Tie 0-0 In Final 2010 Home Match - Atlanta Beat
- Playoff Hopes Still Alive - Sky Blue FC
- Chicago Red Stars Top Washington, Cap off Season with Back-To-Back Wins - Chicago Stars FC
- AC St. Louis Beat Miami 3-1 - St. Louis Athletica
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