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For the Boston Breakers, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, and for the last 20 minutes it was a wild time ending with a 1-1 result with FC Gold Pride.
“You saw the worst and best of this team unfortunately,” said head coach Tony DiCicco. “It’s a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story with them. There were some performances that were not up to par. You’re a pro now and you’ve got to be prepared to play every minute, and if one or two players don’t give it everything they have then suddenly the whole team is struggling.”
The Breakers game out of the gate sluggish (without injured Kelly Smith) and let FC Pride trot about without too much interference, which quickly resulted in a 15th minute goal by Christine Sinclair. DiCicco made notable changes at the half, substituting Nancy Augustyniak-Goffi for Stacy Bishop, Jennie Nobis for Christine Latham, and then Smith for Candace Chapman in the 62nd minute. Fourteen minutes later Smith assisted Nobis for her first professional goal.
Nobis scores first professional goal
“The only thing we’re lacking with the highs and lows is just heart,” said Nobis, “wanting to go out and support each other as a team, not worrying about the mistakes you’re going to make, just playing for each other, go out with everything you have - there’s nothing you can lose.”
“We made a few changes with the line-up,” said Nobis, “not depending on who’s talented enough to play in this league, but who can just bring us energy because obviously it couldn’t get any worse than the first half.“
Alli Lipsher
Photo: Tony Biscaia/Breakersnet
Breakers goalkeeper Alli Lipsher, who made her first start for out-of–favor keeper Kristin Luckenbill, swallowed the first goal and earned her money the rest of the first half.
“We’re having some highs and lows," said Lipsher, who DiCicco said would start again, "and coming off a bunch of disappointing games and a couple losses, the coaches are just looking to make changes. We’re just trying to find the best team to put on the field and luckily for me, that included giving me a shot today.”
DiCicco makes changes, Stacy Bishop waived
“We’re going to have to make some roster changes,” said DiCicco. “I’ve been the only coach that’s made one slight roster change in 10 games, everyone else has made four, five, six, ten changes. We have a couple kids training with us playing as hard as they can and they deserve a chance to get on this roster. Mary Frances Monroe – she doesn’t know yet. She played with the Breakers before, but Mary Frances is going to get a chance to play on this team. She’ll either get a developmental spot or a full roster spot. Her best position would be attacking midfield."
Thursday, Breakers General Manager Joe Cummings announced midfielder Stacy Bishop had been waived.
Alex Scott
Photo: Tony Biscaia/Breakersnet
Scott shines for the Breakers
English national, Arsenal trained Alex Scott is one of the brightest lights of WPS. A tough right defender by trade, she attacks with the pace of a midfielder and curls in corners, rips off shots like a striker. Scott is probably the most complete player in WPS, if not MLS as well.
“One time [Scott] went forward she got beat to a ball that was played behind her, she turned around and sprinted back and blocked the pass going forward, so she had to turn around and make a 30-yard run. I turned to the bench and said, ‘that’s the heart you need to play this game. That’s why she’s an international, that’s why she’s as good as she is.’
Scott was involved in most of the plays that led to the 13 total, nine Breakers shots on goal.
The fight for the playoffs intensifies
The 1-1 results leave the Breakers (3-4-3) and Gold Pride (3-5-3) in the same position they started. Boston and Pride remain in a three-way tie with Sky Blue FC at 12 points all for fourth place in the standings.
“Any team can beat anyone in this league and that’s what it should be,” said Gold Pride's Sinclair. “Obviously LA is sort of running away with things but there’s a huge battle for the remaining three spots in the playoffs and it’s exciting. You can’t not show up for a game."
“I’ve been coaching a long time,” said DiCicco, “and this is without a doubt my toughest coaching challenge, but that’s what makes it fun because challenges are great opportunities.”
The Breakers are back in action in Chicago on Sunday to face the Chicago Red Stars for the third match of a run of four games in 11 days.
June 17, FC Gold Pride @ Boston Breakers (Harvard Stadium)
Scoring Summary
FCGP: Sinclair 5, 15th minute
BOS: Nobis 1, 76th minute
Stats
Shots: FCGP 11 BOS 13
Shots on Goal: FCGP 5 BOS 9
Saves: Nicole Barnhart (FCGP) 4, Alli Lipsher (BOS) 8
Corners: FCGP 5 BOS 4
Fouls: FCGP 11 BOS 3
FC GOLD PRIDE: Nicole Barnhart, Rachel Buchler, Carrie Dew, Leigh Ann Robinson (Marisa Abegg, 84th minute), Rachel Grazyk; Tina DiMartino (Kimberly Yokers, 62nd minute), Formiga, Leslie Osborne; Eriko Arakawa, Tiffeny Milbrett, Christine Sinclair (Tiffany Weimer, 73rd minute)
BOSTON: Alli Lipsher; Alex Scott, Candace Chapman (Kelly Smith 62nd, minute), Amy LePeilbet, Heather Mitts; Kasey Moore, Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Stacy Bishop (Nancy Augustyniak-Goffi, 46th minute); Amy Rodriguez, Christine Latham (Jennifer Nobis, 46th minute).
Misconduct Summary
Boston – Latham, 13th minute
FC Gold Pride – DiMartino, 34th minute, Formiga, 89th minute
Attendance: 3,128
Referee: Margaret Domka
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