DALLAS PREMIER 4, TULSA SPIRIT 3
DALLAS PREMIER 3, OKLAHOMA ALLIANCE 1

CEDAR HILL, TX (06/21/09) - In their second match in as many days against a well-coached side from Oklahoma, Dallas Premier (5-0-0) continued their undefeated start to their inaugural 2009 season with a hard-fought 4-3 win over the Tulsa Spirit (1-1-1) in WPSL Big Sky-South Division action. To make matters either more worse or more impressive - depending on the view point - Dallas had to fight for this win while competing a player down for 80 of the 90 minutes of the match.

This battle wasn't reserved for the pitch only as Tulsa coach Ali Adibi and Premier coach Joe Soliz went at it tooth-and-nail - tactically speaking. Tulsa employed a tactic from the outset to spread the Dallas players all over the pitch and make them chase with a lot of possesion. Soliz responded with a pressure man-to-man marking that immeadiately paid dividends.

The Spirit lost control of the ball in the 5th minute to Premier's Heater Hutyra and she needed only two touches before unleashing a missile from the left side of the 18-yard box for an early 1-0 lead for the home side. Tulsa began working its way up the pitch and in the 10th minute of play recieved their first corner kick. Premier goalkeeper Ally Higgins got knocked to the ground going for the well-placed corner and the ball ended up bouncing in front of the net resulting in a goal-mouth scramble.

Dallas midfielder Ryan Lee was then hit at point-blank range in the arm with a shot that prevented the goal for Tulsa, only to have the referee judge the play intentional. Lee was shown the straight red card and on the ensuing penalty kick, Amanda Carreno converted to tie the score at 1-1. Soliz called on his side to continue to go at Tulsa and used what has proven to be his best asset on the team - their tremendous depth.

Making substitution after substitution as the Premier players were already exhausted from the previous night's battle with Oklahoma Alliance, Soliz threw another one of his favorite assests at the Tulsa defense - Rice University forward Erin Scott. Scott, who had five goals in the two games she has played in for Dallas, took almost no time at all to find the net in the 30th minute on a well-placed ball by midfielder Kendall Juett.

In the second half, Tulsa's Emily Morgan found the net on a set piece just outside the Premier box for the 2-2 score in the 51st minute. The proud Premier side did what they have done all season and got even just four minutes later on their own set piece. Dallas midfielder Carly Phillips would strike a hard right-to-left bender from 30 yards out, finding the lower left corner of the goal for the 3-2 lead in the 55th minute.

Soliz once again subbed in Scott during the ensuing kick-off and it took only a minute for Christine Nieva to launch a rocket that the Tulsa keeper couldn't handle, bouncing off her chest to find the waiting feet of Scott who put the ball neatly in the net for the eventual game-winner. Trailing 4-2 and seemingly with all the energy in the world, Tulsa kept coming at the short-handed Premier.

With 14 minutes left in the match, Morgan would out-work the weary Dallas defense and score on a half-sliding shot into the upper corner of the net to make the final score of 4-3. Soliz once again brought on fresh legs on defense, and the recently-signed Rachel Garcia and the versatile Anita Pedford helped close out the game.

Premier came into the game on Saturday, June 20th against defending Big Sky-South champs Oklahoma Alliance F.C. (3-1-0) with statistically one of the more potent offenses in the WPSL but it was the Dallas defense that made the difference in this battle for the division lead. Not allowing the Alliance forwards a chance to breath was the Premier back-line of Jessica Jarrell, Cynthia Torres and Alicia Marshall in the eventual 3-1 victory at Cedar Hills H.S.

"These girls came into this match tonight ready to play," said Soliz. "We had a great training session Thursday night from everyone and it carried over to tonight. They knew Oklahoma was going to be tough and we played like it. Our back-line was outstanding all night. They worked together and just did an excellent job. But really everyone all over the pitch did the same."

The only blemish on the scoreboard for Dallas came when Dria Hampton unloaded a rocket from 35 yards out in the 34th minute to tie the score at 1-1. The Premier opened the scoring when Pedford found Caitlin McDowell from the end-line in the 5th minute, and two touches later, would find the back of the net for her second tally of the season.

Dallas would respond immediately to Hampton's tying goal only two minutes later, as Scott once again found the net with a drive past a Alliance defender and then would unleash a nice left-footed shot that beat the Alliance's outstanding keeper Kelsey Devonshire to the near post. Scott finished off the Alliance in the 84th minute with another one-on-one goal against Devonshire for the final score of 3-1.

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NEW YORK A.C. 1, MILLBURN MAGIC 3

PELHAM, NY (06/21/09) - For the second time in 10 days, the Millburn Magic staged an impressive second half comeback to register a 3-1 victory, this time overcoming local rivals the New York Athletic Club at the Travers Island complex at Pelham, NY. The win continued a four-match unbeaten run and earned the N.J. team three valuable points as the play-off places take shape in the East Conference of the WPSL.

"It was a very pleasing second half," said Magic Coach Andy Sones, who was also quick to share credit around his team. "Katie [Ryan has] worked hard for her goals and they will do her good, but the pressure we put New York under was as big factor in where the second half was played, so I was delighted Kat [Sheeleigh] got the goal her hard work deserved".

The Magic opened aggressively, and on a wet and skidding turf field could have scored three times in the opening minutes through Laura Kurash and Kat Sheeleigh. As the Magic continued to dominate, they were caught by a counter as NYAC midfielder Sylvia Stone fed a through-ball to the Magic goal. Millburn waited for the offside flag that never came and forward Krista Mikolajczyk received the ball behind them and finished confidently past Lia Fierro to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

Millburn continued to press, but Katy Fissel, Katie Ryan and Shira Averbuch would be denied on their scoring chances. All that changed at half-time, as Millburn made several changes and charged forward with renewed energy and belief. Despite attractive build-up play, however, Millburn's equalizer was classic "route one" in the 52nd minute as Fierro launched a kick down the middle of the field, and Ryan would out-pace the NYAC defense to score off her own rebound off the post.

The goal launched another wave of Magic attacks and it was only a matter of time before Millburn took the lead. In the 73rd minute, Tara Ricciardi drove forward and cutting in from the right, angled a pass to Ryan who had pulled away to Millburn's left. The Magic forward faked outside, cut inside and bent a high curling shot into the top corner of the net to put the Magic up for good at 2-1 for her fourth goal of the season.

Three minutes later, more good play from Ricciardi freed Ryan on the right, and when the NYAC keeper fumbled her low cross, Sheeleigh followed up for a goal which capped her own strong performance. Millburn continued to press but the game would ended with the final score of 3-1.

With midfielder Tara Ricciardi returning early to class on Monday - therefore ending her Magic season - Sones also paid tribute to the Providence midfielder after the match.

"Tara has been phenomenal for us this year... and never more so than today" said Sones. "She always wanted the ball in midfield, drove us forward exactly as we asked her to, and in the second half was unbelievable coming out of the back, constantly starting attacks."

The win puts Millburn firmly into the WPSL East playoff race as they enter a tough close to the regular season. This Wednesday sees them visit 2006 WPSL National Champions in the Long Island Fury, before entertaining last year's Conference champion New England Mutiny in their next home game on June 30th at 7:00 p.m. at Millburn High School, before finishing at the Philadelphia Liberty.

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SD UNITED 3, WEST COAST F.C. 0
LOS ANGELES RAMPAGE 0, SD UNITED 0

SAN DIEGO, CA (06/21/09) – With a win and a draw this past weekend, SD United kept their place at the top of the WPSL Pacific-South Division with a 7-0-2 record. On June 20th, SD United traveled to face the Los Angeles Rampage for a Saturday night match.

The first scoring opportunity came and went in the first eight minutes of the game for the Rampage when SD United's goalkeeper Michele Dalton read the play to perfection with a crucial save. United's defending duo of the evening - Alex Sitta and Ashli Sandoval - pressed and pushed, letting few shots go by to ensure the final score of 0-0.

SD United was back on their home field on June 21st at Torero Stadium. The score stayed scoreless until the 51st minute of the match when Lindsay Browne lofted a arching shot over the West Coast F.C. keeper. In the 64th minute, Maddie Tantillo converted a free kick from outside the box that pushed the score to 2-0.

In the 89th minute, it was Tantillo again on a cross from Debs Brereton that sealed the deal for the final 3-0 score over West Coast F.C. SD United will host the match of the season as they face second-place Ajax America (7-1-1 WPSL Pacific-South) this Sunday, June 28th at 4:30 p.m. at Torero Stadium on the beautiful campus of the University of San Diego.

Half-time giveaways include L.A. Galaxy tickets and a pizza party that will go to the youth team showing the most spirit during the match. All children are free with a paying adult. For SD United standings and more, visit http://www.sdunited.net.

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CLEARWATER GALACTIC AMAZONS 1, FLORIDA SURGE 3

SAINT LEO, FL (06/20/09) - Much unlike the first time the Florida Surge (3-1-1) played against the first-year Clearwater Galactic Amazons (2-1-2) - which was played in monsoon-like conditions - their rubber match at St. Leo University on June 20th was in the blistering central Florida sun. With both sides feeling the effects, the visitors had a bit more fuel in their tanks, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to secure a vital 3-1 victory in a too-close-to-call Sunshine Conference race.
 
Unclear of what to expect out of the Clearwater side as their first match was nowhere near a clear indicator due to the weather, on this day the Surge would see the Amazons at their best. Yet, Florida would score first as UCF's Yvonne George would take advantage of a Clearwater goalkeeper error in the 12th minute, breaking in on goal to score low to the right corner for the 1-0 lead.

Both teams battled it out the rest of the half and the Surge would go into half-time up by a goal. Feeling the effects of the sun and dehydration, the start of the second half was sluggish until the 67th minute, when Clearwater would tie the match at 1-1 on a Kaitlin Bolinsky goal.

All of a sudden, both teams picked up their pace of play - and their physicality. The game turned into a nail-biter until the 82nd minute, when Florida would get the eventual game-winning goal by Lindsey DeLorenze on a diving header off a cross from Chantelle Goodson. The Surge would put the final nail in the coffin in the 85th minute, as Elise Larrett would drive past several players and slot her shot underneath the Amazons keeper.

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NEW ENGLAND MUTINY 0, LONG ISLAND FURY 1

ENFIELD, CT (06/20/09) - Karin Simonian scored the only goal of the game off an assist from Vicki DiMartino in the 30th minute as the Long Island Fury defeated the New England Mutiny by a 1-0 score at Enrico Fermi H.S. in Enfield, Connecticut. The Fury stay undefeated at 5-0-0 while the luck-less defending WPSL East champion Mutiny drop to 1-4-0.

Fury keeper Jillian Mastroianni, playing in her home state, made five saves for the shut-out, including a brilliant one with 20 minutes left. It was muggy, rainy and uncomfortable on this night, with New England running their franchise-record streak of losses to four - not scoring a goal since their opener against Maine on May 16th - with the defeat.

"The Mutiny played very well and we are delighted with the win, especially since we have never won here," said Fury head coach Paul Riley. "We showed character again with the win... All our games this year have been very close."

"I'd have loved to be 5-0 but that's not the team we have," Mutiny head coach Tony Horta, whose team is now sitting in 12th place in a 14-team WPSL East. "The team we have is very young - six kids 17 or under. The present may not be great, but the future is very bright... We've finally got people in the right places (on the field) and now it's just a matter of them getting game experience, and our staying healthy.

"We can get in [the 8-team WPSL East playoffs at] 6-4, but it won't depend on us, it'll depend on other teams... I haven't given up on this team yet. We played well tonight against the best team in the league, and if we had played better in the offensive third of the field we'd have beaten them."

In the first minute, New England's Meagan Riemer and an unguarded goal converged, but the former University of Hartford star was unable to get a foot on the ball. Long Island finally capitalized on one of its many forays into Mutiny territory in the 20th minute, when the New England defense failed to clear the ball and Simonian took advantage to beat Mutiny keeper Lauren Brodeur for the game-winning goal.

New England nearly got on the board in the 55th minute when Erin Clark fed fellow UConn teammate Megan Cunningham to goal, but a Long Island defender got a step and cleared the ball away. Cunningham would be robbed again when she beat Mastroianni with a shot, but defender Heather Tomko got to the goal-line and cleared the ball away from harm.

The Mutiny honored Erin (O'Grady) Gatto at half-time, citing the former Syracuse University standout for her six years in New England and retiring her No. 9 uniform. Another former Mutiny star in 2008 WPSL East Player of the Year Mary-Frances Monroe was called up from the WPSL East-leading Boston Aztecs by the Boston Breakers on Friday, June 19th.

The next game for the Fury is Wednesday night, June 24th at Adelphi University's Competition Field in Garden City - site of this year's WPSL Final Four. At 6:00 p.m., Long Island plays the resurging 3-3-1 Millburn Magic.

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NEW YORK A.C. 0, ADIRONDACK LYNX 6

PELHAM, NY (06/20/09) - The Adirondack Lynx (5-1-0) continued their winning ways in a 6-0 victory over the New York Athletic Club in a vital WPSL East road match. Williams College's Sara Wild and Syracuse University's Tessa MacDougall each scored twice for the visitors, while Amanda Casares would notch a goal and an assist.

Casares would score the eventual game-winning goal just over a minute into the match, as the Binghamton University standout got a ball played to her about 40 yards from goal and went straight to goal un-marked and scored on a laser from 20 yards out. Eight minutes later, Wild took a left-footed corner kick from the right flank and put just enough "english" on it to find its way into the goal untouched.

With the Lynx dominating much of the possession in the first half, Laura Burnett-Kurie would out-run the NYAC defense to collect a through ball and drove to the end-line. The Adirondack captain would slot a ball to the 12-yard line where Wild would put home her second goal of the match for the 3-0 half-time lead.

The second half was much like the first stanza, where the Lynx controlled play with an occasional NYAC counter attack that was stopped by the stingy Lynx defense. In the 59th minute, Casares struck a through-ball to the hard-working MacDougall, who was composed enough to put the ball away to make the score 4-0.

In the 68th minute, MacDougall would score her second tally of the match and Adirondack finished the scoring in the 88th minute, when UMass' Ashley Hamel put a well-placed through-ball to the feet of Ashley Cross. Cross took a touch and would score inside the post for the final tally of the 6-0 victory. Keepers Meghan Sleezer and Jen McEacheron (4 saves combined) combined to get the second shutout for the Lynx this season.

With the team playing in a new formation for this match, the Adirondack defense really stepped up their game with kudos to defenders Chelsea Barry, Katie Gardiner, Tracy Stankavage and Stephani Knopick. The Lynx' next match is home this Saturday, June 27th at 2:00 p.m. against Central Delaware. The match has been moved from the National Soccer Hall of Fame to Skidmore College.

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MAINE TIDE 1, BAY STATE SELECTS 3

POINT LOOKOUT RESORT, ME (06/20/09) - The Bay State Selects (3-3-0) via goals from three different players got back to .500 in the WPSL East with a 3-1 win at the Tide of Maine (0-5-1). The first 45 minutes of the match saw a scoreless opening, as both teams went back and forth on possession with scoring opportunities but each defense held.

"We should have come out with a few goals, we need to finish opportunities," said Bay State's Julie Morrissey.
 
The second 45 minutes saw tremendous pressure from the Selects as Jen Leaverton (2 assists) created pressure up front against a Tide defense that seemed to be on their heels but were able to deny the Selects again and again. Then in the 60th minute, Jenna Roncarati placed her shot perfectly past the Maine goalkeeper on a corner kick from Nicole Steinquist to make the score 1-0 for the visitors.

In the 75th minute, Skyy Anderson scored her first goal in the WPSL off a feed from Leaverton. Playing with tremendous spirit, Maine would not be denied as they countered in the 80th minute with a rocket of a shot from 35 yards out to make the score 2-1. Not feeling comfortable with only a goal lead, Bay State continued their attack as Julie Morrissey and Leaverton combined with Morrissey to score the 3rd goal to make it 3-1 in the 85th minute.
 
"Two consecutive wins and getting to .500 is very good indeed and now hopefully we can carry that momentum into our next game vs. the Aztecs," said coach Dan Lima, as his team try to make their push to the playoffs. "Our forwards along with our midfield created so much pressure on the Maine's defense in the second half that we were able to get opportunities and finish those opportunities."

Shannon Van Riper and Jen Leaverton were named the Defensive and Offensive MVP's of the match. The Selects return to action on Saturday, June 27th vs. Boston Aztec at Amesbury Sports Park in Amesbury, MA. while the Maine Tide travel to Richland, NJ to face the AC Diablos on Friday, June 26th.

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SOCCERPLUS CT 0, BOSTON AZTEC 1

NEW BRITAIN, CT (06/20/09) - Newly signed Boston Breakers developmental player Sophia Mundy scored the lone goal for the Boston Aztec, leading them to a 1-0 victory over the SoccerPlus CT Reds on Saturday, June 20th at Veteran's Stadium in New Britain, CT. The win extends the Aztecs' unbeaten streak to six and maintains their spot at the top of the WPSL East Conference while the loss drops the Reds to 9th place in the standings and on the outside looking in at the playoffs with three games remaining.

"This was a quality win for us," said Aztec player/coach Rebekah Splaine. "The Reds challenged us for the full 90-minutes tonight, forcing the defense to step up."

The first half was played under threatening clouds with the Aztecs holding the play, however, the visitors struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities that either missed the goal or allowed SoccerPlus CT goalkeeper Caity Casey to make the save. The second half brought a steady rain and an increased speed of play.

SoccerPlus CT was able to penetrate into the Aztecs end of the field and take advantage of the wet conditions. The Aztec defensive line of Kristen Habenicht, Maggie Tomecka (Boston Breakers), Alena Thom and Brooke O'Hanley were able to limit the number of quality scoring chances for the Reds.

Breakers developmental goalkeeper and Peabody, MA native Ashley Phillips (5 ShO in 6 matches this season for the Aztecs) managed the game well and was called upon in the opening minutes of the second half to make diving save on a hard shot to the far post. The resulting rebound was cleared from danger by the Aztec defense.

The Aztec goal came in the 64th minute when Cortney Sobrero sent a through-ball to Mundy, who broke through the Reds defensive line and went one-on-one with Casey. The SoccerPlus GK got a foot on Mundy's shot but the pace of the shot carried the ball into the net for the game's only goal.

The game also saw the first action for Brazilian star Fabiana, a 2008 Beijing Olympic Silver Medalist. Fabiana was the 9th overall pick by the Boston Breakers in the WPS International Draft and has been returning to fitness, seeing 33 minutes of play with the Aztecs in the first half.

The Aztecs will be home to Bay State Select on Saturday, June 27th. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. at Amesbury Sports Park, tickets are $5 and are available at the door. Children wearing an Aztec, Breakers or Revolution jersey get free admission.

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ALL THE RESULTS...

WEDS., JUNE 17, 2009 - Away Team, Home Team (Conference-Division)
AC Diablos 0, Philadelphia Liberty 1 (East)

FRI., JUNE 19, 2009
Oklahoma Alliance FC 2, Fort Worth 0 (Big Sky-South)

SAT., JUNE 20, 2009
San Diego WFC SeaLions 2, West Coast FC 1 (Pacific-South)
Boston Aztec 1, SoccerPlus Connecticut 0 (East)
Philadelphia Liberty 4, Central Delaware SA Future (East)
Bay State Select 3, Maine Tide 1 (East)
Long Island Fury 1, New England Mutiny 0 (East)
Adirondack Lynx 6, New York Athletic Club 0 (East)
Seattle Synergy 1, Walnut Creek Power 1 (Pacific-North)
California Storm 1, Monterey Blues 2 (Pacific-North)
FC Sacramento Pride 0, San Francisco Nighthawks 1 (Pacific-North)
Denver Diamonds 0, Arizona Rush    5 (Big Sky-North)
SD United 0, Los Angeles Rampage 0 (Pacific-South)
Lancaster Inferno 2, TSC Maryland Pride 0 (East)
Houston South Select 0, Alamo SC San Antonio 1 (Big Sky-South)
Florida Surge 3, Clearwater Galactics Amazons 1 (Sunshine)
FC Thomasville Dragons 1, Miami Kickers F.C. 5 (Sunshine)
Oklahoma Alliance FC 1, Dallas Premier 3 (Big Sky-South)
So Cal Rush 0, Ajax America Women 7 (Pacific-South)

SUN., JUNE 21, 2009
Ajax America Women 5, Claremont Stars 0 (Pacific-South)
San Diego WFC SeaLions 0, Los Angeles Rampage 5 (Pacific-South)
TSC Maryland Pride 2, AC Diablos 3 (East)
Portland Rain FC 0, Walnut Creek Power 1 (Pacific-North)
Seattle Synergy 0, FC Sacramento Pride 0 (Pacific-North)
San Francisco Nighthawks 1, Monterey Blues 0 (Pacific-North)
Denver Diamonds 0, Arizona Rush 4 (Big Sky-North)
West Coast FC 0, SD United 3 (Pacific-South)
Millburn Magic 3, New York Athletic Club 1 (East)
Tulsa Spirit 3, Dallas Premier 4 (Big Sky-South)
FC Thomasville Dragons 1, Palm Beach United 3 (Sunshine)
So Cal Rush 2, PSSCV - The Rooks 1 (Pacific-South)
Carmel United SC 3, FC St. Louis 4 (Midwest)

MON., JUNE 22, 2009
Portland Rain FC 0, Monterey Blues 3 (Pacific-North)

About the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL): The WPSL is a 50-plus team national women's soccer league with five conferences and is considered one of the top amateur women's soccer leagues in the world. You can now keep up with our league on our social networking sites on Facebook (click HERE) and LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com)!

The Long Island Fury have been selected to host the 2009 WPSL Final Four which will be held at Adelphi University (Garden City, NY) - alongside the Youth Premier Soccer League (YPSL) National Championship that same weekend. The tentative dates are scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, August 1-2 and check back to this website in the coming days & weeks for further information!

The WPSL's mission is to provide the highest level of women's soccer while simultaneously providing affordable, quality family entertainment and positive role models for our youth. For more information, visit our official website at http://www.wpsl.info, phone us at 1-800-854-0913 or contact us via email at media@wpslsoccer.com.