Sol defeat Freedom
June 7, 2009 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Los Angeles Sol News Release
CARSON, CA - June 7, 2009 - The Los Angeles Sol (Women's Professional Soccer) defeated the Washington Freedom 3-1 at The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University - Dominguez Hills Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Sol improves its WPS-best record to 7-1-3 (24 points), while the second-place Freedom drops to 3-3-3 (12 points).
The Sol opened the scoring ledger in the 14th minute. U.S National Team midfielder Shannon Boxx's long pass from the left side of the defense found Japanese midfielder Aya Miyama in stride in the center of the field.
Miyama touched it quickly to get in behind the Washington defense then played a perfect ball to French international midfielder Camille Abily, who put her shot off the left hand of on-rushing Washington goalkeeper Erin McLeod and into the net. The goal was Abily's fourth in as many matches and her fifth overall this season, tying her with the Boston Breakers' Kelly Smith for the WPS lead.
The Freedom nearly drew even in the 18th minute, but a blast from outside the penalty area from forward Abby Wambach was pushed aside by Sol 'keeper Karina LeBlanc and knocked over the endline by the Sol defense for a Freedom corner kick, effectively ending the threat. The teams traded chances in the latter stages of the half, but neither converted and the hone side carried the slimmest of margins into the break.
The Sol was first to threaten in the second half, with Boxx feeding Miyama at the edge of the box, but the long shot sailed over the Washington goal. The ensuing possession for the Freedom resulted in a free kick for the Freedom some 40 yards away from goal. After defender Cat Whitehill's kick bounced around the box, Abily's French National Team teammate Sonia Bompastor jumped on it for the Freedom and tied the score 1-1in the 57th minute.
The Sol was quick to regain the lead, however. In the 60th minute, midfielder McCall Zerboni served a cross from the right byline for a diving Brittany Bock. Just as Bock got her head to the ball, Whitehill stepped in, only to see the ball deflect off her arm - and referee Ted Unkel wasted no time in pointing to the penalty spot. Abily calmly stepped up and drilled the ensuing effort into the left of the goal past McLeod to giver team a lead they would not surrender.
In the 66th minute, the hosts extended the lead to 3-1. Bock and Marta worked a give-and-go on the left side of the area, with the rookie and recent Notre Dame graduate slotting her effort past McLeod, left hopeless in goal for the final margin of victory.
The Los Angeles Sol returns to action next Saturday, June 13, when the club
faces Sky Blue FC (New Jersey/New York) in a road contest. The Sol returns
home on Sunday, June 21 for an afternoon match against FC Gold Pride (Bay
Area). For information or to purchase Los Angeles Sol tickets, please call
1-877-4-SOL-TIX or visit www.LosAngelesSol.com
Women's Professional Soccer Stories from June 7, 2009
- Cristiane Strikes Again as Red Stars Tie FC Gold Pride - Chicago Stars FC
- Cinalli Goal for Athletica Sinks Sky Blue FC on the Road - Sky Blue FC
- Sol defeat Freedom - Los Angeles Sol
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