WPSL Elite LEAGUE 2012 Season Opener: Boston Breakers Take Charge and Shutout ASA Chesapeake Charge

May 11, 2012 - PRLog -- Breakers Take Charge In Season Opener
Win 3-0 on the road

May 10, 2012 (NORWOOD, MA) - The Boston Breakers began their 2012 WPSL Elite season exactly as they wanted - with a win. Goals by rookies Veronica Napoli and Jessica Luscinski and second-year Breaker Katie Schoepfer, all within the first 20 minutes of the game, sealed a 3-0 victory Thursday night over ASA Chesapeake Charge in Arnold, Md.

"I liked how we started, going out right away and scoring goals," Head Coach Lisa Cole said. "Overall, I was excited about the team's first win. I was pleased with the back line. They were solid."

Defenders Cat Whitehill, Taryn Hemmings, Elli Reed, and rookie Courtney Jones kept the Charge from creating any serious threats, allowing rookie keeper Alice Binns to record the shutout.

Jones, who finished an illustrious career at the University of North Carolina this past fall, set up the first goal, which came in the 4th minute. She sent a ball in from the end line right to Napoli. Napoli, Northeastern University's all-time leading scorer, took Jones' cross and beat Charge keeper Erin Quinn to give Boston an early lead.

Less than 10 minutes later, the Breakers scored two goals in less than two minutes. The first came from Schoepfer off an assist from Napoli. Before the Charge had a chance to get re-organized, the Breakers scored again. This time it was Luscinski. The two-time America East Striker of the Year at Boston University made it a 3-0 game, with the assist going to midfielder and captain Leslie Osborne. Osborne herself nearly scored, but her header off a corner kick near the 60-minute mark was saved by Quinn.

Breakers starters: Alice Binns (GK), Cat Whitehill, Taryn Hemmings, Elli Reed, Courtney Jones, Amanda DaCosta, Bianca D'Agostino, Leslie Osborne, Veronica Napoli, Katie Schoepfer, Jessica Luscinski

Subs used (all in the second half): Julie King for Schoepfer; Katherine Donnelly for Luscinski; Emma Thomson for D'Agostino

Subs not used: None

Notes: This was the first game in WPSL Elite history, which allowed the Breakers to make history in more ways than one. They became the first team in the league to record a win and shutout. Veronica Napoli became the first player to ever score in a WPSL Elite game. Courtney Jones had the league's first assist. Keeper Alice Binns earned the league's first shutout ... The Breakers head to the Maryland SoccerPlex on Saturday, May 12, to take on the DC United Women of the USL W-League in an exhibition match. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. ET start. They return to WPSL Elite action on Friday, May 18, at 7 p.m., taking on FC Indiana in their home opener at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, Mass.