Soccer News: Mewis Scores Winning Goal In 93rd Minute
The Boston Breakers got at goal in the final seconds of the match from midfielder Kristie Mewis to take a 1-0 victory over previously unbeaten Portland Thorns FC in front of 2,669 fans at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium Saturday in Allston, Massachusetts.
In the 93rd minute, Portland keeper Michelle Betos raced off her line to try and beat Maddy Evans to the ball at the top of the 18, but the collision sent both players to the ground and the ball popped up to Mewis. After chesting it down, Mewis chipped the ball over Betos, who raced back, but to no avail. For Mewis, it was her first goal of the season. For the Breakers, it snapped a two-game losing streak.
“I thought (we) did a really good job. These games are important to us because it’s really a chance for our team to grow and play together while other teams aren’t at full strength, which is going to give us confidence,” Boston Breakers head coach Tom Durkin said. “They caught us by surprise the first game (4-1 loss April 9 in Portland). We were highly motivated to play at home.”
Keeper Jami Kranich, making her second professional start, was up to the task when she was called upon, recording three saves to earn her first victory and first shutout at the professional level.
The Breakers (2-3-0, 6 points) had a handful of chances in the first half, sending in one cross after another, but nothing fell their way. Mewis had a chance to make it a 1-0 game in the 20th minute, but her header off a cross from Mollie Pathman was knocked out by Emily Menges. Mewis had another great look on goal in the 36th minute, but her shot from 20 yards out hit the crossbar.
The Thorns (2-1-2, 8 points) threatened twice in the 36th minute, both from Ayo Añonma. Her first shot, which came from a tight angle to the left of Kranich, came within inches of giving Portland the lead. However, Kranich got her fingertips on the ball to clear it from danger. Seconds later, Añonma took a shot on goal from 10 yards out, but it was no bother for Kranich.
Despite getting off seven shots in the first half, none went directly on goal for the Breakers. That changed just minutes into the second half when Stephanie McCaffrey rattled Betos from the top of the 18 in the 48th minute, but Betos came up with the stop. McCaffrey would get another good look at Betos, this time in the 61st minute. Nkem Ezurike played a ball into the box for McCaffrey, who took a crack at it from a tight angle at the near post, but couldn’t beat Betos.
Neither team threatened again until Mewis scored the game-winner in injury time.
“Mewis I cant say enough about,” Durkin said. “To see that thing ripple down in the back of the net, we were over the moon.”
The Breakers return to action Friday, May 22 to face Sky Blue FC (7 p.m. ET), when they will retire Leslie Osborne’s No. 12 jersey and induct the former U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder into the Pillars of Excellence.
