Former U.S. Women's National Team midfielder Leslie Osborne played exceptionally well according to head Coach Lisa Cole
Women's Soccer News: Boston Breakers Earn First Shutout in WPSL Elite History
Inaugural Launch of the WPSL Elite League Season - Boston Breakers take on ASA Chesapeake Charge
Former WPS Team Travels to Maryland to Take on ASA Chesapeake Charge for First Soccer Match of the Season
The Boston Breakers earned their first victory and the first shutout in the history of the WPSL Elite league tonight as they took charge on the road in the season opener ASA Chesapeake Charge. The final score in the inaugural Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite League match on Thursday, May 10, was 3-0. The game was played at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland.
The Boston Breakers are not new to tough competition. After competing in the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) and Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), the Breakers are considered by some to be a top contender to win the WPSL Elite League championship.
The Boston Breakers began their 2012 WPSL Elite season exactly as they wanted - with a win. Goals by rookies Veronica Napoli and Jessica Luscinski and second-year Breaker Katie Schoepfer, all within the first 20 minutes of the game, sealed a 3-0 victory Thursday night over ASA Chesapeake Charge in Arnold, Md.
"I liked how we started, going out right away and scoring goals," Head Coach Lisa Cole said. "Overall, I was excited about the team's first win. I was pleased with the back line. They were solid."
ASA Chesapeake Charge started several high school players and while it took a while to adjust to the pace of the action, (the Boston Breakers scored in the first few minutes of the game and again in the 14th and 16th minute), Patrick Crawford said, "I am happy with where we are and look forward to our next WPSL Elite match. Now we know what to expect."
Boston Breakers' defenders Cat Whitehill, Taryn Hemmings, Elli Reed, and rookie Courtney Jones kept the Charge from converting any serious threats, allowing rookie keeper Alice Binns to record the shutout.
Jones, who finished an illustrious career at the University of North Carolina this past fall, set up the first goal, which came in the 4th minute. She sent a ball in from the end line right to Napoli. Napoli, Northeastern University's all-time leading scorer, took Jones' cross and beat Charge keeper Erin Quinn to give Boston an early lead.
Boston Breakers Video
Less than 10 minutes later, the Breakers scored two goals in less than two minutes. The first came from Schoepfer off an assist from Napoli. Before the Charge had a chance to get re-organized, the Breakers scored again. This time it was Luscinski. The two-time America East Striker of the Year at Boston University made it a 3-0 game, with the assist going to midfielder and captain Leslie Osborne. Osborne herself nearly scored, but her header off a corner kick near the 60-minute mark was saved by Quinn.
Subs used (all in the second half): Julie King for Schoepfer; Katherine Donnelly for Luscinski; Emma Thomson for D'Agostino
Subs not used: None
Notes: This was the first game in WPSL Elite history, which allowed the Breakers to make history in more ways than one. They became the first team in the league to record a win and shutout. Veronica Napoli became the first player to ever score in a WPSL Elite game. Courtney Jones had the league's first assist. Keeper Alice Binns earned the league's first shutout.
The Breakers head to the Maryland SoccerPlex on Saturday, May 12, to take on the DC United Women of the USL W-League in an exhibition match. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. ET start. They return to WPSL Elite action on Friday, May 18, at 7 p.m., taking on FC Indiana in their home opener at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, Mass.
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