Breakers Defeat Power, 3-2
August 1, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
New York Power News Release
Uniondale, NY - The Boston Breakers (8-4-7, 31 pts) got two goals from Dagny Mellgren and held on for the 3-2 win at Mitchel Athletic Complex. Boston moved into second place, while the New York Power (7-9-4, 25 pts) will await their fake when the San Diego Spirit host the Carolina Courage this Sunday. If the Spirit win, the Power will be eliminated from playoff contention.
Kristine Lilly got the Breakers on the board early, tallying in the second minute. Lilly connected on a pass to Maren Meinert at the top of the penalty area. Meinert turned the corner, passing the ball back to Lilly off the leg of Power defender Jaclyn Raveia. Lilly pounced on the loose ball and struck a shot past a diving Saskia Webber.
The Breakers would tally again in the 12th minute. Mellgren headed the ball forward to Meinert, who took a few touches, and passed the ball back to Mellgren. Mellgren took a touch and drilled a low shot from 28 yards out that skipped off the wet surface and past Webber.
Boston goalkeeper, Karina LeBlanc, had little work in the first half, as the Power had only one shot, which went high in the 40th minute off the foot of Shannon Boxx.
The Power came out in the second half and scored an early goal of their own. 32 seconds into the second half, Boston midfielder Stephanie Mugneret-Beghe fouled Tiffeny Milbrett just outside the penalty area. Milbrett took the free kick in the 46th minute, and found Cheryl Salisbury wide open in front of goal. Salisbury redirected the ball past LeBlanc for her third goal of the season, narrowing the deficit, 2-1.
In the 48th minute, Boston defender Christine McCann was issued a yellow card for taking Joey Peters down from behind just outside the penalty area. Milbrett took the free kick, but her shot soared over the goal.
Mellgren would score her second goal on night and league leading 13th goal on the season, sealing the game in the 90th minute. Second half sub Devvyn Hawkins put Meinert behind the Power defense, beating the offside trap. Meinert raced in one-on-one with Webber, but instead of shooting the ball, she crossed it to Mellgren, who had an empty net. It was Meinert's third assist on the evening and tenth on the season.
The Power would answer in stoppage time, but it was a bit too late. Justi Baumgardt's corner kick found the head of Shannon Boxx, who flicked the ball onto Emily Janss for her fourth goal of the season.
With the loss, the Power snapped a five-game unbeaten streak at home, a mark that dated back to May 24, 2003 a 4-0 loss to the Washington Freedom.
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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 1, 2003
- Breakers Defeat Power, 3-2 - New York Power
- San Diego Spirit Game Plan vs. Carolina - San Diego Spirit
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