TSC Maryland Pride midfielder Anabel Jimenez scored her second goal of the season, leading the Pride to its first victory of the season, 2-1 over Jersey Select on Saturday.
In the 19th minute Amy O'Sullivan sent a ball from the corner straight across the goal mouth. Oncoming striker Brittanie Gordine dummied the ball to a streaking Anabel Jimenez.
Jersey Keeper Sara Keane got her hand on Jimenez's strike, but had no chance of keeping it out of the net, and the Pride took a 1-0 lead.
The goal was Jimenez's second in as many home games. Jimenez, who lead the team with four goals in 2009. Both of her 2010 goals have come off of crosses.
The goal was part of an all-out first half assault on the Jersey back line in which Thunder registered 13 shots on goal.
Meanwhile, Select did not register their first shot on goal until five minutes left in the half.
By the 50th minute, the Pride already had 15 shots on goal, and the 15th was a big one. After winning the ball at midfield, Ericka Thieson took on the entire Jersey defense, until she was about 12 yards out, at which point she slid a ball under Keane to the near post to give the Pride a 2-0 lead.
The goal was Thieon's first of the season.
In the 54th minute Karyn Farrar nearly made it 3-0 after pickpocketing Select defender Linda Sierra and rocketing a shot to the upper-near post, which Keane just parried over the crossbar.
In the 67th minute, Jersey was awarded a very questionable penalty kick. Pride keeper got her hands on Veronica Rhea's strike, but the ball found it's way into the the net to cut the Pride lead in half.
Keane showed her ability again in the 78th minute when she deflected Gourdine's upper-90 shot away, keeping the Pride lead at one.
However, Jersey would not be able to take advantage of Keane's big saves and the Pride held on to win its first game of the season.
The Pride finished the game with 22 shots on goal.
