Boston Breakers crash over Athletica 2-0 in Harvard Stadium opener

April 11, 11:32 PMBoston Pro Soccer ExaminerL.E. Eisenmenger

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Kelly Smith
Photo: Boston Breakers

Tonight, the Boston Breakers played and won their first-ever WPS home game 2-0 in historic Harvard Stadium, where the Boston (now New England) Patriots played the first-ever American Football League game in 1960.

The stars that glimmered over Cambridge steeples and domes seemed a little brighter tonight and the crowd was jubilant despite the cold rain that let up just before kick-off.

Slick conditions made for physical play

The rain glistening on the turf made it one of the fastest surfaces she had ever known said disheartened St. Louis Athletica captain Lori Chalupny.

"I don't ever know if I've played on a field that fast. It took the whole first half for both teams to get used to it. With the conditions, the bounce of the ball and the speed of the ball, it made for a little chippier of a game - not on purpose by any team, but you're just reaching or balls, and the ball is in the air a lot - so it was a pretty physical battle. Anyone who played out there is going to be a little bruised and sore tomorrow."

The score was scoreless at the half with the battle in the midfield, marked progress for the Breakers, who struggled in the center with their 2-1 loss to Gold Pride last week.

Kelly Smith struck the first blow in the 53rd minute with a quick low drive that upended national team keeper Hope Solo. And Kristine Lilly, who showed bursts of top form throughout the match, struck in the 87th minute and kicked the wind out of St Louis.

"It was a perfect progression up the side," said Lilly. "They played Kelly the ball and Kelly saw me, laid a perfect ball back and I hit a good shot, it's one of those times when you hit and you know it's going in. It was an important goal at that point."

Smith brings competitive edge from Arsenal

"It's always going to be physical in a league like this, there's some big girls out there, strong, but that's part of the game and you're going to get knocked, it's going to be a 50-50 battle going on all over the field. We'll just make sure it's Boston Breakers that win the majority of them."

It's this competitive streak that led Smith to be the top Arsenal player, the top English national team striker, and three times nominated for FIFA's world's best player, beaten out only by Marta. And Smith has big plans for the Boston Breakers.

"Every day in practice we're getting better, we're looking sharper. Like we said before, the team that we are now is not the team we're going to be come the end of the season, we're going to be a lot, lot, better, so we're looking forward to that."

Harvard Stadium seats 30,323 and as the summer heats up, the Breakers/Harvard Square combination could become a choice weekend destination. Although it might not be possible logistically, this venue would provide fantastic urban soccer specific stadium atmosphere for a Revolution/Breakers doubleheader.

April 11, 2009: Boston Breakers 2-0 St. Louis Athletica  @ Harvard Stadium

SCORING SUMMARY
53’ Boston – Kelly Smith (Schmedes, Rodriquez)
87’ Boston – Kristine Lilly (Smith)

St. Louis Athletica: STL: 01 – Hope Solo (GK), 02 – Karri Hanks, 04 – Sara Larsson, 06 – Kia McNeill, 07 – Lisa Stoia (12 – Elise Weber, 73’), 08 – Tina Ellertson; 09 – Eniola Aluko (05 - Sheree Gray, 45’), 10 – Daniela Alves (21 - Francielle Alberto ’54), 14 Melissa Tancredi, 17 – Lori Chalupny (Capt.).
DNP: 13 – Jillian Loyden (GK), 19 – Niki Cross.

Boston Breakers: 01 – Kristin Luckenbill (GK), 02 - Heather Mitts, 06 – Amy LePielbet, 20 – Sue Weber, 22 – Alex Scott, 10 – Kelly Smith, 13 – Kristine Lilly (Capt.), 16 – Angela Hucles, 17 – Kasey Moore (04 – Stacy Bishop ’74), 03 – Kelly Schmedes (07 – Christine Latham, ’79), 08 – Amy Rodriquez.
DNP: 18 Allison Lipsher (GK), 05 – Maggie Tomecka, 07 – Christine Latham, 09 – Candace Chapman, 14 – Abby Crumpton.

Misconduct:
58’ – Boston - Kasey Moore
68’ – St. Louis – Melissa Tancredo
78’ – Boston - Alex Scott
91’ – Boston – Stacy Bishop

             St. Louis      Boston
Shots: 14 (7)            7 (1)
SOG:      2 (1)            3 (0)
Saves: 1 (0)              2 (1)
Fouls:  12 (8)          12 (4)
Corners: 2 (1)           2 (1)
Offsides: 2 (1)          0 (0)

Referee: Sanda Serafín

Attendance: 4,804