BAY STATE SELECTS 1, ADIRONDACK LYNX 2

EASTON, MA (05/23/09) - The Adirondack Lynx (1-0-0 WPSL East) went on the road to defeat the Bay State Selects (1-2-0 WPSL East) by a 2-1 score. University of North Carolina-bound Kylie Watt was involved with both goals for the Lynx, as she scored and had an assist on the game-winning goal by Hayley George in stoppage time.

This was Adirondack's first match of the season while the Selects were playing their third straight match at home to start 2009. All that ended as the game got underway at Stonehill College, and both teams came out and looked in mid season form as they traded possession.

In the 10th minute, Bay State's forward Jen Leaverton collected a clearance at midfield from goalkeeper Stephanie Gordon, beat the defense down the middle and drove a shot past goalie Jen McEachron for the first tally of the match. The Lynx came back aggressively as they took eight shots in the first half but Gordon was up to the task.

In the second half, the Lynx came out strong, controlled possession and had many opportunities but could not finish against new Select goalie Emily Nahas. Bay State's midfielder Jenna Roncarati controlled play and was able to give her team ample scoring opportunities but the home side were not able to finish.

In the 57th minute, Watt combined with Mandi Casares at the back post to score and tie the match at 1-1. Both teams would trade possession until stoppage time, when Watt found George and her rocket of a shot would go off the far post, past an outreaching Nahas for the game-winner.  

Watt and Adirondack defender Becca Lee were voted the Offensive & Defensive MVP's of the match. For the match, the Lynx out-shot the Selects by a 16-12 margin and took more corner kicks (8-6). The teams will have a re-match this Friday, May 29th at 7:00 p.m. at the newly built Golden Goal Tournament Park near Lake George, N.Y.

---

CDSA FUTURE 2, TSC MARYLAND PRIDE 3

DOVER, DE (05/23/09) - The 2009 season is off to a bright start for the TSC Maryland Pride (1-0-1 WPSL East Conference), as they currently sit in first place after a 3-2 road over the CDSA Future (0-2-0). In their first game against the Atlantic City Diablos, the Pride turned in a fine performance in front of the home fans, with a 0-0 draw as the result due to the game being abandoned in the 60th minute due to lightning.

The Pride went behind early against CDSA due to a defensive mix-up but soon tied the match thanks to an outstanding free-kick from former Thunder S.C. youth team player Karyn Farrar. Farrar was a former player on Coach Jim Gormley's Thunder 85/86 squad.

Early in the second half, the Pride's Drew Smith swung over a terrific free-kick, and there was Lisa Zanti ghosting in behind her marker to slot in a very composed side-footed volley to make the match 2-1 to TSC Maryland. Just minutes later, Zanti showed some excellent control as she brought down a cross with her chest in the penalty area, and just as she swivelled to shoot, she was taken down for a penalthy.

Anabel Jimenez stepped up to the PK and fired home what ultimately became the game-winner. The Future scored their second goal of the match in the 92nd minute to make the final 3-2 score. The Pride will host the Philadelphia Liberty (0-0-0 WPSL East) this Saturday, May 30th at 7:00 p.m. while CDSA will host the A.C. Diablos (0-0-1 WPSL East) on the same day at 6:00 p.m.

---

SO CAL RUSH 1, AJAX AMERICA 2

VICTORVILLE, CA (05/23/09) - Ajax America (1-0-0 WPSL Pacific-South) began like they finished the 2008 season, in winning style as the defending WPSL National Champions went on the road to Victor Valley College to face newcomers So Cal Rush (0-1-0 WPSL Pacific-South) in their 2009 opener. Two goals from former University of Oregon standout Sabrina Demonte would propel the visitors to a 3-1 victory.

Heidi Gassaway would score the first WPSL goal for So Cal Rush, as the first year team from the "High Desert" would take Ajax to the wire. The late game-winner was tough to swallow for the home side, as they had four starters unavailable for selection while their attacking midfielder - Japan's Rie Sawai - would dislocate her elbow in the first five minutes.

"Losing to Ajax was no disgrace at all, they are a quality team and were ruthless in the second half with their finishing," said M.J. Tate, Head Coach of So Cal Rush. "They certainly had to work for their win... a lack of tactical naivety [on the game-winning goal] from our team when defending in a low pressure system was evident."

With 10 minutes left in the game and the score at 1-1, it looked like the game was headed for a draw. However, Ajax were more dynamic in the final third, showing their tactical awareness and experience which would make the difference in the final result. So Cal Rush proved they belong in this league and can compete with the very best in the country for 80 minutes, but as the old cliche goes - "it's a 90-minute game."

"We respect Ajax, and coach Brian Boswell," said Tate. "We believe they never truly saw the kind of product we can put on the field and all our talent playing together... we are anxious to play our next game and get our first win in the league, as well as look forward to the return leg against Ajax."

Ajax will travel again this weekend, this time to face the Los Angeles Rampage (0-1-0 WPSL Pacific-South) on Saturday, May 30th at 7:30 p.m. The So Cal Rush will travel to face SD United (1-0-0 WPSL Pacific-South) on the same day for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

---

SOCCERPLUS CT 1, NEW ENGLAND MUTINY 0

NEW BRITAIN, CT (05/22/09) - In the re-match of the 2008 WPSL East Conference Final played at the same venue, the defending champion New England Mutiny (1-1-0 WPSL East) would press hard but to no avail, falling by a 1-0 score to SoccerPlus CT (1-0-0 WPSL East). Both teams had lost players to Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) and retirements, but the home side would look the harder hit on this night but with a result better than the loss to end last season.

"That was a robbery, but we'll take the result and look to improve," said Reds Head Coach Chris Bart-Williams.

New England dominated SoccerPlus CT in every offensive category except for the one that counts the most - goals scored. The Mutiny saw opportunity after opportunity miss the frame, out-shooting the home side by a 29-3 margin. Reds goalkeeper Caity Casey would make 11 saves in the shutout win, showcasing good skill in the air while also being fortunate the Mutiny's goal scorers were either hitting the cross bar or missing just wide.

New England had the game's first scoring opportunity in the 18th minute, when Becky Gundling's shot from 30 yards out rang off the crossbar. Jenny Maurer had another chance for the Mutiny, when she received a pass from Riley Houle just outside the penalty area but her shot sailed wide. Maurer would just miss another chance in the 32nd minute, as the ball sailed just past the left post.

SoccerPlus CT broke out on top in the final minute of the first half, when Reds' forward Beth Lloyd ran under the kick from Casey after the ball eluded the Mutiny defense. Lloyd went in all alone on New England goalkeeper Lauren Brodeur and slotted it into the lower left side.
 
The second half saw more of the same from the Mutiny, who would out-shoot the Reds by a 20-1 margin. In the 69th minute, Karen Gurnon headed a corner that was cleared off the line by a Reds defender. In the 73rd minute, Gundling would hit her second crossbar of the game and in the 90th minute, Houle had the last chance of the evening as her shot glanced off the crossbar.

"We did everything right except scoring," said Mutiny Head Coach Tony Horta. "I don't know what to say."
 
The Mutiny are on the road again as the team travels for a match against the 2006 National Champion Long Island Fury (0-0-0 WPSL East) on Sat., Mat 25th at 6:00 p.m. SoccerPlus CT will travel to Husson College to face the Maine Tide (0-2-0 WPSL East) on the same day for a 3:00 p.m. match.

---

OTHER RESULTS... the Claremont Stars (1-0-0 WPSL Pacific-South) would defeat PSSCV-Santa Clarita (0-1-0 WPSL Pacific-South) at Claremont H.S. by a 1-0 score on May 23rd, thanks to the game-winner from Tara Corcoran in the 42nd minute... SD United (1-0-0 WPSL Pacific-South) would start 2009 with a 2-1 win over the visiting L.A. Rampage at Granite Hill H.S. on May 23rd... the San Diego WFC SeaLions (1-0-0 WPSL Pacific-South) would get goals from Tessa Lennala, Giuliana Longmire & Michelle Spacciapolli in their 3-1 home win over West Coast F.C. (0-1-0 WPSL Pacific-South) on May 23rd. Jamie Schiffer was the lone scorer for the defending division champions.