Allston, MA (August 4, 2010) – Kelly Smith scored two goals in Wednesday night’s game against the Atlanta Beat (4-8-5) and led the Boston Breakers (7-6-4) to a 2-0 shutout and their third consecutive win at Harvard Stadium at 7 p.m. in Women’s Professional Soccer action.

The win snapped Atlanta’s four game undefeated streak and was the second time Boston has beaten the Beat this season. Aside from tallying their third victory in a row, Boston has now won six of their last seven matches, and is just two points away from catching second place Philadelphia.

“We contained their attack, and I thought the second half we kept the ball and created a lot of chances,” said Breakers Head Coach Tony DiCicco. “We probably could have gotten another goal. I’m very proud of the team; it was a good win.”

The game-winner came a quick forty seconds after kick off when Lauren Cheney sent a long ball across the field to Lindsay Tarpley on the right side. Tarpley then sent a cross into the box for Smith to finish past U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper Hope Solo. The goal broke Smith’s previous record for quickest goal in franchise history, which she set in the second minute of the May 2, 2009 win over the LA Sol. Moreover, her goal on Wednesday came less than ten seconds later than the league record for quickest goal which was set by FC Gold Pride’s Christine Sinclair who scored in the 31st second, also against Atlanta on July 3, 2010.

The remainder of the first half was scoreless but not without opportunities for both sides. In the 31st minute, July WPS Player of the Month Jordan Angeli got her head on a corner kick sent to the near post by Kristine Lilly, but the shot bounced off the post and went wide. Then, seconds before the half ended, Atlanta had a chance to get on the scoreboard when Johanna Rasmussen one-touched a shot in the box, but it too sailed wide.

Smith sealed the victory in the 62nd minute when she ran onto a loose ball in the box and hit a low shot into the right corner of the net. This marked Smith’s ninth goal of the season, her fifth in three games, and slid her into third place in the league for scoring.

The Breakers pressed hard for a third when in stoppage time Fabiana went on a breakaway, but Solo came off her line to prevent the goal.

The shutout was Boston’s first since their 0-0 draw against Sky Blue FC on May 29th. Boston’s solid defensive line and rookie Alyssa Naeher’s strong goaltending lead to Naeher’s first WPS career clean sheet.

The Breakers head to Philadelphia on Sunday to face the Independence for the third time this season at 8 p.m. Boston leads the season series 1-0-1, last defeating Philadelphia 2-1 on July 4. With a win, Boston will be able to slide into second place in the standings. 

 - Player Quotes -

Jordan Angeli - Boston Breakers midfielder
On being named WPS Player of the Month for July
I couldn’t believe it, I was so excited I called my parents, and I got a little emotional. It’s been a great ride and I’ve had a great team that’s made it pretty easy for me to score goals, and great fans to keep me going. I can’t take all the credit. I’ve had a lot of help along the way. Tony DiCicco - Boston Breakers

Lori Chalupny - Atlanta Beat Midfielder
On the loss
It’s unfortunate to give up a goal so early, I feel like we were chasing the game from that point on. I thought we had some good moments in the first half but it wears on you after pushing to be getting a goal the whole game. It’s a shame because we definitely didn’t bring our best game tonight and it just doesn’t help matters when you let up a goal so early.

Tony DiCicco - Boston Breakers Head Coach
On the victory
Wer'e the last team to beat them when we played them last time. They’ve won three and tied won since that. We contained their attack, and I thought the second half we kept the ball and created a lot of chances, and we probably could have gotten another goal. I’m very proud of the team, It was a good win.

Alyssa Naeher - Boston Breakers Goalkeeper
On recording her first WPS shutout
It’s exciting, it's something we as a defense strive for. With how hard this team has worked defensively I think it's deserved. To be rewarded as team with a shutout right now, it feels good.

Kelly Smith - Boston Breakers forward
On their three-game winning streak
We're on a roll at the moment, it feels to good to be on a streak. We're playing well, especially the second half, it’s probably the best performance of the season. We had some good possession and chances, we probably could have done more at the end.

On Jordan Angeli being named Player of the Month
She’s really deserved it to be honest. She’s been one of our better players, popping out the goals here and there and for it to be her first season too, she’s been taking her opportunities and taking it with both hands. She’s a leader and its great she’s scoring for us.

Boston Breakers (7-6-4) vs. Atlanta Beat (4-8-5)
Wednesday, August 4, 2010 — Harvard Stadium
FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY

GOALS	1	2	F
Boston	1	1	2
Atlanta	0	0	0

BOS: Kelly Smith 8 (Lindsay Tarpley) 1'
BOS: Kelly Smith 9 (Unassisted) 62'

PLAYER SUMMARY

BOSTON BREAKERS — Alyssa Naeher, Alex Scott, Amy LePeilbet, Ifeoma Dieke, Stephanie Cox, Kristine Lilly (Taryn Hemmings, 83'), Leslie Osborne, Lindsay Tarpley, Jordan Angeli (Chioma Igwe, 87'), Lauren Cheney, Kelly Smith (Fabiana, 73')

Substitutes Not Used: Kasey Moore, Niki Cross, Ashley Phillips, Laura del Rio

ATLANTA BEAT — Hope Solo, Stacy Bishop, Kia McNeill, Tina Ellertson, Angie Kerr (Leigh Ann Robinson, 56'), Lori Chalupny, Carolyn Blank, Aya Miyama, Mami Yamaguchi (Monica Ocampo, 61'), Johanna Rasmussen, Eniola Aluko

Substitutes Not Used: McCall Zerboni, Ramona Bachmann, Brett Maron

TEAM STATS:

	BOS	ATL
Shots	11	10
Shots on Goal	5	3
Fouls	5	5
Offsides	1	3
Corner Kicks	3	3
Saves	3	3

  
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
BOS: Kelly Smith (Caution) 66'

Referee: Bryan Roslund
Referee Assistants: ,
4th Official:
Attendance: N/A

All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.