Red Stars take down Boston Breakers 2-0
ALLSTON, Mass. -- The Chicago Red Stars offense came to life as Casey Nogueira and Cristiane each posted a second-half goal during the team's 2-0 victory over the host Boston Breakers on Saturday in Women's Professional Soccer play at Harvard Stadium.
The win was Chicago's first of the 2010 WPS season and improved the team's record to 1-2-1 on the campaign. The Breakers fell to 1-1-2.
"I think for the team, they really needed the result tonight," Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes said. "It was a great team performance all around, and the result was fully deserved."
Next up for the Red Stars is another road match when they travel to the Bay Area to take on Marta and FC Gold Pride at 9 p.m. CT Saturday, May 8, in Hayward, Calif.
On Saturday, Nogueira made her first start of the season and also gave the Red Stars their first lead of the year in the 63rd minute for a 1-0 lead over Boston. It was her second tally of the season, following up her first WPS goal during a 1-1 draw against Saint Louis Athletica on April 17. Karen Carney provided the cross to set Nogueira up.
"She has two goals already this season, she scored a goal tonight, and it justified her selection," Hayes said of Nogueira's first start. "That's the expectation we have from her, to create and score, and she did that. She played a wonderful game."
In the 69th minute, Chicago maintained its offensive momentum when Cristiane notched her first goal of the season. Cristiane led the Red Stars with seven goals in 2009. Midfielder Megan Rapinoe created the attack, and Cristiane finished the chance for the 2-0 advantage.
In the net, Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden made five saves for the clean sheet, and also made what Hayes called a "game-breaking save" on a Lauren Cheney shot. Loyden's counterpart, Breakers goalkeeper Ashley Phillips, stopped five shots.
"I think in the first half it was pretty even for both teams," Hayes said. "In the second half, we pressed really high and put them under so much pressure."
Rapinoe made her first appearance of the season. She was previously recovering from mononucleosis, but got the start on Saturday. Julianne Sitch was brought into the match for Rapinoe in the 75th minute.