TULSA, OK (April 3, 2010) – The Atlanta Beat Women’s Professional Soccer team concludes this inaugural preseason with a 7-1 record after today’s 2-1 result over the Saint Louis Athletica (also of WPS) in Tulsa, Okla.

The Beat struck first as forward Ramona Bachmann dribbled a short corner into the box and sent a low, driven ball to Beat defender, and former Athletica centerback, Kia McNeill for a finish in the 27th minute. Bachmann, who rejoined the team in Tulsa following a national team call-up with Switzerland, also finished the game’s second goal to put the Beat up 2-0 at the 38th.

“It was a good game for us,” said Beat head coach Gareth O’Sullivan. “We got off to a nice 2-0 lead against a very talented Athletica squad.”

Thirty-five minutes into the first half, an injured Bachmann left the game but was probable to return. “While we tried to determine if she would come back, St. Louis scored,” said O’Sullivan. Athletica midfielder Shannon Boxx combined on a one-two with Aya Miyama before striking a far corner, left-footed finish.

Following the goal, the Beat replaced Bachmann with midfielder Sophia Mundy who finished the remainder of the game.

The Atlanta Beat outscored preseason opponents 21-6 with three shutouts of at least a two goal margin en route to the 7-1 preseason record. Against Saint Louis, “It was a good game for us as our last preseason match-up heading into the regular season,” said O’Sullivan.

The Beat faces the Philadelphia Independence (fellow expansion franchise) Sunday, April 11 in the first match of the 2010 regular season during WPS Kick-Off Week.

Atlanta Beat 2, Saint Louis Athletica 1
Atlanta 2, 2 – 0
Saint Louis 1, 1 - 0

SCORING SUMMARY
McNeill(ATL)
Bachmann (ATL)
Boxx (STL)

Atlanta Beat Lineup: Whitworth, Sesselemen, McNeill, Robinson, Bishop, Zerboni(Hamm: 65), Kerr, Yamaguchi, Rasmussen(Ocampo: 68), Thompson( Larkin:60), Bachmann(Mundy: 40)

2010 ATLANTA BEAT PRESEASON CALENDAR
Mar. 10: Atlanta Beat 3, Auburn University 2
Mar. 19: Atlanta Beat 2, U-20 WNT 0
Mar. 21: Atlanta Beat 6, University of Florida 0
Mar. 23: Atlanta Beat 2, Boston Breakers 1
Mar. 25: Atlanta Beat 1, Florida State University 2
Mar. 28: Atlanta Beat 5, University of North Carolina 0
Apr. 3 : Atlanta Beat 2, Saint Louis Athletica 1