Boston Breakers Drop Season Opener to Portland

Published on April 12, 2015 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Boston Breakers News Release


Boston Breakers vs. Portland Thorns FC
Boston Breakers vs. Portland Thorns FC
(Boston Breakers, Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer)

HANOVER, Mass. - The Boston Breakers opened up the 2015 National Women's Soccer League season with a 4-1 loss Saturday night on the road to Portland Thorns FC.

In front of 13,386 at Providence Park in Portland, Ore., the Breakers threatened early but Portland keeper Michelle Betos was up to the task, stopping three dangerous shots on goal in the first 25 minutes. The first came in the second minute when Mollie Pathman sent a ball over the top to Kristie Mewis, who flicked a header on goal from close range.

After Portland took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute on a goal by Sinead Farrelly, Betos stopped a pair of screamers from Boston, one from Mewis, the other coming from Katie Schoepfer, both from distance. Seconds prior to Farrelly's goal, Breakers captain Kassey Kallman cleared a shot off the line by Allie Long. The first-year Breaker raced back after Long beat Naeher and just got a touch on the ball to prevent a goal.

Portland took a 2-0 lead into halftime after getting a goal from Mana Shim, who slotted one past Breakers goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher in the 38th minute off an assist from Kendall Johnson.

Just past the hour mark, Breakers rookie and the club's top acquisition in the 2015 NWSL College Draft, Stephanie McCaffrey scored her first professional goal. The Winchester, Mass. native and former Boston College star took a pass from Schoepfer just inside the top of the 18, turned and hit a right-footed strike to beat Betos far post to cut Boston's deficit to 2-1.

Portland added a pair of goals in the span of a minute, and both came from Long, assisted each time by Shim. The goals came in the 72nd and 73rd minutes.

The Breakers return to action on Sunday, April 26, at 5 p.m. ET against the Houston Dash. The match will mark the Breakers home debut at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium on the campus of Harvard University in Allston, Mass. To purchase tickets, visit www.breakerstickets.com.

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Boston Breakers vs. Portland Thorns FC
Boston Breakers vs. Portland Thorns FC
(Craig Mitchelldyer)		   



National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 12, 2015


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