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Breakers Heading to Playoffs

August 15, 2011 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Boston Breakers News Release


On the final day of the regular season, the Boston Breakers (5-9-4) got a pair of goals from Lauren Cheney in a 2-0 win over Sky Blue FC to clinch the fourth and final spot in the WPS Playoffs.

Cheney set a WPS record by scoring the fastest goal in WPS history. It came just 14 seconds into the game. Keelin Winters sent in a cross to Cheney, who volleyed it past Sky Blue FC keeper Jenni Branam.

"I thought we came out with a really good focus and a really good mentality," Boston Breakers Head Coach Tony DiCicco said. "I thought it was a really good win and it shows the pride in the team and the Breakers organization that we didn't want to go out with a loss at home. We are comfortable on the road and can win games but I like where we are right now. I am pleased with the effort."

In front of 4,289 fans at Harvard Stadium, the Breakers kept up the pressure after Cheney's record-setting goal, and in the 18th minute, Cheney scored again, her third of the year, this time off an assist from Meghan Klingenberg. The outside midfielder crossed it to Cheney from the right side of the box. Cheney got her foot on the ball, enough to send it on target and slide past Branam to put Boston ahead, 2-0.

Sky Blue's best chance in the first half came in the 40th minute when Swedish international Therese Sjogran ripped a shot from 20 yards out, but Breakers keeper Alyssa Naeher tipped it over the bar. Naeher finished the game with seven saves, giving her 99 on the season. Naeher also finished the 2011 WPS regular season tied for first in shutouts (five) with Branam.

"We changed our formation. We played a 4-4-2, and I think we just had more options forward, and we played more of an attacking style," Cheney said. "There was no pressure on us. If we lost, it was our own fault. We had nothing to lose. We had to put it all out there, and I think we did that."

The Breakers now turn their attention to magicJack, their WPS First Round opponent. The two teams face each other Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at FAU Soccer Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. The game will be televised live on Fox Soccer and via live webcast.

"Tough game," DiCicco said. "They have Abby Wambach (and) you have to figure out how to deal with it. But we will come up with a tactic. Last time we were down there, they beat us, 4-0. We played a better game against them last week here, but they still beat us. So, we will be better down there again."

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