Boston holds on for win over Chicago

Cambridge, Mass. - Angela Hucles scored in the first half and the Breakers defense held on in the second in a 1-0 win over the Chicago Red Stars in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) action Wednesday night at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge, Mass.

The result ends the season series for the two teams with the Breakers winning 2-1-0. It also puts Boston (6-6-3, 21 points) in sole possession of third place in the standings, just two points behind second place Saint Louis Athletica. The Red Stars (4-7-5, 17 points) are now in a tie for fifth.

"I thought we were very good in the first half, and we knew that they would push out a lot more," said head coach Tony DiCicco. "We chose to stay with the 4-5-1 and looked for counter attack opportunities. I don't think we got enough of those. I think we were a little bit too eager, and gave up the ball too much. They had chances to score. We bent, but we didn't break. I'm really proud of the players."

The game winner occurred in the 35th minute when Kristine Lilly sent a long ball into the box that Hucles got on the end of with a one touch into the back of the net. It was both Hucles' second goal of the season and Lilly's second assist.

The Breakers' offense was quiet as the defense fought hard in the second half to prevent the tie. The Red Stars put on intense pressure from the very first minute when Marian Dalmy sent a cross to Lindsay Tarpley, but the shot was deflected just wide of the goal. They continued to control the game throughout the half as Chicago outshot Boston, 13-2.

The closest call came during a scramble in the box in the 64th minute, when Mary-Frances Monroe, in her first start of the season, saved the shutout when she deflected a shot from Jill Oakes on the goal line at the far right post.

Boston enjoyed the majority of the possession in the first half, and had numerous close chances leading up to their goal. Hucles almost scored earlier in the 22nd minute as she made her way to the net on a breakaway, but her shot was saved by Red Star goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson.

Jennie Nobis also looked especially hungry for a goal with several chances. In the 26th minute she got onto the end of a corner from Lilly, but it sailed right over the crossbar. She had another shot off a pass from Heather Mitts in the 29th minute, but Jonsson got on the ground and just got her hands on it in time for the save.

The Breakers are next in action on Sunday, to face FC Gold Pride in Santa Clara, Calif. It will be the third and final game of the series, in which the Pride lead 1-0-1.