WPSL Elite Soccer Action: Philadelphia Fever Play Hard but Fall to Strong ASA Chesapeake Charge

May 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite League action saw Philadelphia Fever play hard until the final whistle but lose to a strong ASA Chesapeake Charge squad 3-2 on Sunday, May 27. Both WPSL Elite League teams put up a strong fight; however, the Charge came out victorious as the Fever still look to find their groove.

The scoring began just 13 minutes into the first half when the Charge’s Alex Brandt broke free and slotted the ball right past Fever keeper Michelle Dalton to take an early 1-0 lead. Philadelphia answered back four minutes later after Chesapeake was called for a penalty in the box in the 17th minute. The Fever’s Kelsey Haycook took the penalty kick and beat the Charge keeper, leveling the score at 1-1.

The game was played at a fast pace and Alexis Prior-Brown of the Charge was a big reason for that. She troubled the Fever defense all game with her speed and managed to put the Charge ahead 2-1 shortly after Haycook’s equalizer. Taking the ball down the left flank, she cut inside towards goal before beating Dalton and scoring on a wide open goal.

Just three minutes later, Prior-Brown shot again and Dalton tipped it off just over the goal. Prior-Brown was relentless in the Charge’s offensive third and peppered Dalton with several shots in the first half. However, Dalton was up for the task and was able to deter most of the shots she faced.

The Fever looked to calm the Charge offense; however, the Chesapeake side won a corner kick in the dying minutes of the first half. Caylin Dudley of the Charge played an inviting ball into the box and Prior-Brown was there to bury it into the back of the net, sending the teams into the locker rooms with a halftime score of 3-1.

Both teams seemed to be a struggle to score in the second half. Fortunately for the Fever, the Charge were unable to net any additional goals in the second half. With just over twe minutes to go in the game, Fever’s Haycook scored once again off of a menacing free kick that soared past the Charge’s keeper from about 30 yards out.

The Fever would get several more opportunities to level the score in the final minutes of the game but were unable to find that elusive equalizing goal. The final score resulted in a hard-fought 3-2 win for the visiting Charge.

Philadelphia Head Coach Stuart Gore said of the Fever’s performance, “First off, we were slow and lethargic.” As for the Charge, Gore said, “I think we underestimated a good team, we were naïve to their youth and they were a hardworking team who played the right way.”

The Fever look to make improvements before their game on Thursday against the New York Fury at Hofstra University. As for what Gore plans to work on this week at training, he said, “We’ll be dealing with defensive shape; we can’t be going long periods of time without the ball.”

Philadelphia Fever face New York Fury at Hofstra University on Thursday, May 31, before traveling to Massachusetts to take on New England Mutiny at East Longmeadows High School on Saturday, June 2. ASA Chesapeake Charge have a week off before heading to Indiana to face FC Indiana on Friday, June 8, followed by a meeting with the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, June 10.

About the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL):
The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is the largest national Women’s Soccer League in the world. With more than 70-plus women’s soccer teams, the WPSL is the leading amateur soccer league in America. The league is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The WPSL's mission is to provide opportunities to further the women’s soccer game for the aspiring professional, international-level players and passionate amateurs. The WPSL season brings affordable and quality family entertainment to the community, displays positive role models for our youth and offers the essential connection between youth and pro women’s soccer in America.

About the WPSL Elite League:
With the addition of three former Women's Professional Soccer teams, the WPSL Elite League is now the highest level women's soccer league in America. The leage features eight teams: Former WPS franchises Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, and 2011 WPS Champion Western New York Flash; WPSL teams  ASA Chesapeake Charge, FC Indiana, New England Mutiny and New York Fury; and the independant Philadelphia Fever.

For more information please visit http://www.WPSL.info or email Media@WPSL.Info