WPSL Gets Ready for Summer of 2017
Before you can look ahead, it is great to take a quick look in the rear view mirror and celebrate past victories on the road to new ones. As the WPSL looks to kick of the 2017 – The Summer of Women’s Soccer, we wanted to celebrate the WPSL National Champions for 2016, the Boston Breakers Reserves.
WPSL Soccer News: As the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) gets ready to start its 19th season on May 1, the WPSL celebrates the Boston Breakers Reserves for its 2016 WPSL Championship win on July 21, 2016 against the San Diego SeaLions in a 3-0 win in Columbus, Ohio.
“Our Reserves winning the WPSL National Championship was very important to everyone in our organization. We have a full, and unique, development pyramid here at the Boston Breakers and it is our aim to have every level winning a national championship,” said Lee Billiard, President of Boston Breakers Soccer Operations and Development.
“We are fully invested in programs below our pro team and their success. For the reserve team to win a national championship was a great experience for the players and coaches, but also validation that the commitments we have made as an organization to player development are paying off in the best way possible.”
The Boston Breakers Reserves, who won the New England Division with an undefeated season, replaced the Washington Spirit Reserves in the WPSL Final Four National Championship.
“As soon as we learned the opportunity to take Washington Spirit Reserves spot representing the Northeast, we quickly accepted,” Billiard said. “It [was] a short timeline to get everything arranged for [the Final Four National Championship], but we are committed to the Reserve team and all of our developmental teams.”
The Breakers’ goal scorers were Kate Lenz (50’), Gilda Doria (75’) and Chanel Johnson (90’).
“It’s exciting to see the Boston Breakers win the 2016 championship. Lee has showed a strong commitment to the WPSL and to player development in the league,” WPSL League Commission Jerry Zanelli said. “With three teams in the league, the Reserves, College and U-20, the Breakers give players the opportunity to work toward becoming a professional at a young age. It’s this dedication to women’s soccer and developing players that makes Lee an outstanding leader.”
Before advancing to the finals, the Breakers defeated the 2015 Champions, the Chicago Red Stars Reserves, in a 2-1 win.
The WPSL is the largest women’s league in the world. For the 2017 season, the league will have 110 teams and is the leading amateur soccer league in America.
The WPSL’s mission is to provide opportunities to further the women’s soccer game for the aspiring professional, international-level players and passionate amateurs. Zanelli, the league’s commissioner, has worked for decades to further the women’s soccer game and the growth of the league is, in part, due to his tireless efforts.
