Independence Demolishes Sky Blue
For the second time in three weeks, Philadelphia defeated Sky Blue FC. But this was in a more convincing fashion, a 4-1 victory in New Jersey, no less.
The Independence struck early and often, with Danesha Adams leading the way. Adams, who was making just her first start of the year, made the most of it with a goal and two assists. She put Philadelphia in the lead just five minutes into the match, assisted by Amy Rodriguez. Later in the half, Adams assisted on a goal by Rodriguez to put Philly up 2-0.
Sky Blue got one back on a penalty with Rosana doing the honors for the second week in a row. Last week, she converted a penalty in stoppage for the game winner against Boston. The score stood at 2-1 in favor of the Independence at half.
Adams earned her second assist on a Joanna Lohman goal early in the 2nd half and the game was never in doubt after that. Free agent signee Tina DiMartino scored her second goal in as many weeks since coming over from Saint Louis to make the final score 4-1. Karina LeBlanc got the win in goal for the Independence.
The Independence, who leapfrogged Washington into 2nd place, have now scored in 9 consecutive matches, just two shy of the regular season record held by Athletica. Philadelphia doesn't have long to rest as they travel to Atlanta for a midweek clash with the Beat on Wednesday. Sky Blue travels to the bay area to meet first place FC Gold Pride next weekend.
The Beat Get First Victory
It took eight matches, but the Atlanta Beat finally get their first win, a 1-0 shutout victory at home against Chicago.
Tina Ellertson headed home a Monica Ocampo cross in the 42nd minute to give the Beat their first WPS home goal. The goal ended a 467 minute scoring drought for Atlanta, which surpassed a record previously held by the Red Stars. For Ellertson, it was her first WPS goal.
Brett Maron got the shutout for the Beat. Atlanta outshot Chicago 17-4 for the match and held the edge in corners as well, 10-5. The victory puts Atlanta at 5 points, now just two behind 6th place Boston. They host Philadelphia on Wednesday night. Chicago remains in 5th place with 9 points and will travel to Boston to meet the Breakers in a Friday night contest.
Gold Pride Edges Boston To Solidify Hold on 1st Place
Kelley O'Hara scored late in the 1st half to give FC Gold Pride a 1-0 win over the visiting Boston Breakers. For O'Hara, it was her second goal of the season, this one assisted by Christine Sinclair.
Nicole Barnhart earned her third shutout of the season for FCGP. Alyssa Naeher, making her first start for the Breakers, was injured in the 1st half and had to be replaced by Ashley Phillips.
The victory came before a crowd of 3588 at Gold Pride's new home, Pioneer Stadium in Haywood, California. They have stretched their home unbeaten streak to eight games.
Gold Pride, with 22 points, now has a five point cushion over 2nd place Philadelphia. They will host Sky Blue next Sunday. Meanwhile, Boston sits in 6th place, just two points out of the basement. Boston has not won a match since the season opener and has scored just two goals total in their last six matches. They will host Chicago on Friday night.
Standings: (1) FC Gold Pride (7-2-1, 22 pts); (2) Philadelphia (5-3-2, 17 pts); (3) Washington (4-2-3, 15 pts); (4) Sky Blue FC (4-4-2, 14 pts); (5) Chicago (2-5-3, 9 pts); (6) Boston (1-4-4, 7 pts); (7) Atlanta (1-5-2, 5 pts).
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