Boston Breakers Rise To Defeat Spirit In Style
The Bottom Line: Although Washington had possession for 52.2 percent of the game, racking up 379 passes to Boston’s 354, Boston defeated it East Coast rival 3-0 and outshot the Spirit 11-9 overal.
Women’s Soccer News: The Boston Breakers got a goal from Natasha Dowie and benefitted from a pair of own goals by Washington to take a 3-0 win over the Spirit in front of 3,475 fans at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. Saturday night.
Dowie, who took the tole of captain in the match as Julie King is sidelined due to injury scored her eighth career goal with the Breakers in the 47th minute, and first goal scored on the road.
It all began with Angela Salem, who played Adriana Leon out wide. Leon then sent a great cross into the box. Dowie ran on and headed it into goal to give the Breakers a 1-0 lead.
Then it happened — back to back own goals.
In the 54th minute, Leon raced into the box, but the ball was dispossessed and ended up in the goal to put Boston ahead, 2-0. One minute later, Brooke Elby crossed to the far post, intended for Leon, but again it was hit in goal by Washington. This increased the Breakers lead to 3-0.
“We were happy with the last half hour, we had good energy and had the ball in their half and generated a lot of scoring chances,” said Spirit head coach and general manager Jim Gabarra. “We’ll look to carry that momentum into our final match against Seattle.”
The Breakers defended well the rest of the way and got three saves from keeper Abby Smith to preserve the shutout victory, their first win on the road in 2017. With the win, the Breakers improved to 4-12-7 and into ninth place in the NWSL table.In the first half, the Breakers had a handful of chances, but narrowly missed the target. Leon fired from distance just 40 seconds into the match. Her shot went just wide. Leon went for goal again in the seventh minute. This time, her shot was on frame, but saved by Washington keeper Didi Haracic.
Fourteen minutes into the game, Elby received a pass at the top of the 18. Her shot went wide, and in the 32nd minute, Midge Purce laid off a pass in the corner to Leon. Her cross into the box was headed out, but Allysha Chapman was there 20 yards from goal. She gathered the ball and took a shot, but it went over goal. In the 40th minute, Purce sent in a dangerous cross into the box, forcing Haracic to come out and make a diving stop, preventing any further damage.
The Breakers return home for their season finale Sept. 30 against Sky Blue FC (7 p.m. ET).
The Spirit will close out the 2017 NWSL season next Saturday, September 30 against Seattle Reign FC at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. TICKETS
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