World Cup Celebration A Success, Beat Tie At Home
July 24, 2011 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Atlanta Beat News Release
KENNESAW, Ga - The Atlanta Beat (1-10-4) of Women's Professional Soccer earned a point in a 0-0 tie against magicJack (5-5-2) Saturday night and set an all-time attendance record of 9,345 fans at KSU Soccer Stadium as they welcomed home Women's World Cup WPS Extraordinary heroes.
The Beat held a special pregame ceremony in honor of the 10 WPS players who were a part of this year's FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. Beat owner T. Fitz Johnson, his wife Debra, and members of the U.S. Coast Guard presented the seven players in attendance with a special gift. The Beat welcomed home Carli Lloyd (USA), Heather Mitts (USA) and Kelly Parker (Canada), after recognizing six magicJack players in attendance: Abby Wambach, Christie Rampone, Becky Sauerbrunn, Jill Loyden, Sophie Schmidt (Canada) and Lisa DeVanna (Australia). U.S. Goalkeeper Hope Solo and magicJack teammates Shannon Boxx and Megan Rapinoe were unable to attend but still received a resounding applause.
It took only three minutes after the opening kick for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Silver Boot winner, magicJack's Wambach, to strike the first shot. The Beat found their first scoring opportunity in the 14th minute when Kelly Parker ran onto a through ball and dribbled past the last defender for a one-vs.-one against goalkeeper, Jill Loyden. Parker hit a hard, low shot that went outside the left post.
With an even back and forth opening half, the Beat outshot magicJack six to four heading into the break.
Beat goalkeeper Allison Whitworth came up huge in the second half when she stopped a one-vs.-one against magicJack's Ella Masar in the 64th minute. After Masar got in behind an Atlanta defender, she took a shot from inside the six yard box. Whitworth came out big and blocked the shot.
The physical matched produced 19 fouls with the Beat committing 11 to magicJack's eight. Three players earned yellow cards including the Beat's Carli Lloyd (27') and magicJack's Tina Ellertson (31') and Abby Wambach (59').
The postgame fireworks show concluded an exciting celebration of women's soccer. Following the fireworks, the stadium's electric atmosphere continued as fans awaited the chance to meet their WPS heroes. Wambach remained outside for almost an hour as she greeted fans for autographs and photos on all sides of the stadium.
The Beat play away at the Philadelphia Independence on Sunday, July 31 at 6:00 p.m. before returning home to host Alex Morgan and Marta of the Western New York Flash on Saturday, Aug. 6 during PUMA's Project Pink night. Tickets are still available to see the Beat on Aug. 6 at KSU Soccer Stadium. Call 678-298-4780 or visit www.TheAtlantaBeat.com
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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from July 24, 2011
- Flash Draw with Breakers Away from Home, Extend Unbeaten Streak to Three - Western New York Flash
- World Cup Celebration A Success, Beat Tie At Home - Atlanta Beat
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