Breakers head home after hard fought tie

Published on July 3, 2014 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Boston Breakers News Release


The Boston Breakers and Washington Spirit met for the third and final time in the 2014 NWSL season at Maryland SoccerPlex Wednesday night in front of 2,673 fans. The match was full of controversial calls for both sides yet it was a penalty kick for Washington in the 91st minute put away by Diana Matheson that sent Boston home with a 3-3 tie.

The game started with Boston coming out strong and given a penalty kick just after the opening whistle. Heather O'Reilly gave a perfectly placed through pass to Jazmine Reeves who was fouled inside the box. It was O'Reilly to take the shot and give Boston the 1-0 lead only three minutes into the match. Boston continues on with the pressure and Nkem Ezurike was fouled inside the box and again O'Reilly stepped up to convert the penalty. She put it past Spirit goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris to give Boston an early 2-0 lead in the 7th minute of play.

The next goal of this rather intense match came in the 28th minute from Washington when former Breaker Lisa DeVanna connected with Jodie Taylor. Up next was the very impressive rookie Jazmine Reeves in the 45th minute off a through ball by Ezurike to give Boston a commanding 3-1 lead going into the locker room at halftime.

The Breakers made a halftime substitution with bringing on Maddy Evans for Nkem Ezurike. Boston again came out clean and ready to attack as they put pressure on the Washington defense early and Courtney Jones almost finding a fourth for Boston in the 47th minute.

The Breakers have their own hero this season and no doubt of the night, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher leading the league with 64 saves. Naeher looked at 22 shots on goal coming at her Wednesday night and managed to only let in the three.

It is Washington to find the net next in the 56th min with a free kick just outside the box taken by Christine Nairn and put away on a second attempt by Jodie Taylor that still gave Boston the 3-2 lead. The Breakers have had a roller coaster season by having teams just slide by them with a win or just barely clinch on to a tie.

In the 65th minute the game went into a weather delay which saw the action stop with the players and supporters alike heading for cover.

When play resumed in the 70th minute that the Breakers were forced to finish a man down when Maddy Evans received a straight red card, which seemed to cause some confusion for players and coaches. As play continued on Cat Whithill and the Breakers defense gave an inspiring fight to hold on to the lead.

It was in stoppage time that yet again they were forced to take a heart breaking blow. In the 91st minute Taylor drew a foul inside the Breakers penalty box. Matheson stepped up and placed her shot low and left of Naeher to bring the final score to a 3-3 draw between Boston and Washington.

The Breakers are now 3-10-2 and will continue on their away game sequence this Sunday at 7 p.m. EST at Seattle taking on the #1 ranked Reign. The Breakers will return home on Sunday August 3rd to welcome the Western New York Flash for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Harvard Stadium. To purchase tickets visit www.breakerstickets.com or call 617-945-1704.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 3, 2014


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