Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (June 21, 2009) - The Boston Breakers defeated the Chicago Red Stars, 2-0, Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. as Amy Rodriguez, the #1 pick in the 2009 WPS Draft, netted her first WPS goal and captain Kristine Lilly converted a late penalty kick.  With the victory, the Breakers (4-4-3, 15 points) moved into third place in the WPS standings.  The Red Stars (2-5-5, 11 points) remain in last place.

The Breakers didn’t have many chances in the match but the visitors made the most of them, starting when Kristine Lilly sent a long pass to teammate Amy Rodriguez inside the box in the 22nd minute.  Splitting two Chicago defenders, Rodriguez beat Caroline Jönsson for her first goal of the season.

Chicago nearly tied it up a minute later when Lindsay Tarpley put a shot off the crossbar – but the ricochet eluded a wide-open Rapinoe and was cleared by the Breakers defense.  Rapinoe came on as a first-half substitute for defender Marian Dalmy, who sprained her ankle in a collision that resulted in a caution for Boston’s Kelly Smith.

The Red Stars had more chances for an equalizer in the second half, twice beating Boston goalkeeper Allison Lipsher only to have the shot cleared off the goal line by a defender. 

In the 68th minute Tarpley fired a rocket from the top of the box that replays showed hit off the arm of Breakers defender Alex Scott, but play continued without a hand ball whistle.

“I’m very proud of my players today,” said Red Stars coach Emma Hayes.  “I think the better team lost the game and I think if we could extend the goal width in either direction then we wouldn’t be talking about a clean sheet.”

Boston added a second-half stoppage time goal when Lilly scored on a penalty kick.  Red Stars defender Nikki Krzysik earned a yellow card for a foul against Jennifer Nobis in the box, and referee Dallas Malhiwsky awarded the Breakers a penalty shot, which Lilly easily buried for her third goal of the year.

Boston goalkeeper Alli Lipsher recorded the shutout in just her second start of the season. She made four saves in the win, including a crucial stop on a one-on-one with her left hand against Lindsay Tarpley in the 77th minute to preserve the lead.

The loss is the third consecutive shutout for Chicago, which has now played 313 minutes without scoring, dating back to a second-half goal at FC Gold Pride on June 7.  That mark bests the Red Stars’ 308-minute scoreless streak from earlier this season and establishes a new WPS record.

The Red Stars travel to Los Angeles to face the league-leading Sol on Saturday, June 27 at 1pm ET/10am PT.  The Breakers return to Boston to host the Washington Freedom on Wednesday in a match that can be seen on Comcast Sports Net at 7pm ET/4pm PT (check your local listings).

Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)

POST-GAME QUOTES

Boston Coach Tony DiCicco:

“I think it was a gutty performance.  It was difficult to play in this weather and I thought it was really important to score first because chasing the game in this weather is not easy.”

“This league has a lot left.  Every team is so competitive.  Every team can beat every other team.  It’s fun, except for the coaches.”

“Chicago probably deserved more, but we’ve been on that side of the games as well.  So we’re delighted with the win and we went out with the right mentality.”

Red Stars Coach Emma Hayes:

“We sent the team out today to show that they can perform as a team and I’m very proud of my players today.  I think the better team lost the game and I think if we could extend the goal width in either direction then we wouldn’t be talking about a clean sheet.”

“This is the first time since I’ve been the coach here that I have a real hurt dressing room.  They are hurt because they know that they put everything into the game and they performed to the best of their ability.  The ball didn’t go in the back of the net, but you know there have been a lot of good performances.”

“For us, we executed our game plan and we’re going to take the momentum and energy from the team today into LA. If you want to write this team off it’s at your peril because we have very hungry players right now.”

Red Stars Forward Lindsay Tarpley:

“I think that I had some chances tonight and I wish I could have finished them.  I’ll be working on that.”

“From the people on the field to the people on the bench, we were a tight union.  I think it hurts more today because we felt so unified.  I think we’re going to build from this.  I have no doubt what our potential is for our team.  I know we’re going to step up individually and collectively and find a way to continue to represent this club in a great way.”