Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)

EDWARDSVILLE, IL (May 9, 2009) – Last week Athletica scored their first goal of the year, tonight in front of 3,860 they recorded the franchise’s first ever win by defeating FC Gold Pride 1-0.

“I feel a lot more relaxed,” said Head Coach Jorge Barcellos. “It is kind of hard when you are representing a town and a city and you can’t get a win in four games. When you get the win you are relieved that you finally got what you are looking for.”

Athletica Captain Lori Chalupny provided the games only goal when she managed to bend her left-footed corner kick around Gold Pride goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart and place it just inside the far post. The goal came in the 16th minute and Athletica’s defense was able to hold the lead for another 80 plus minutes to secure the win and their second shutout of the year.

Barnhart, who posted five big saves in the game, gutted out the 90+ minute match after taking a hard blow to the face in the 16th minute of play, immediately prior to Chalupney’s goal, that fractured her nose.   

“I was looking far-post trying to challenge the keeper since it was one of the first corners of the game,” said Chalupny. “I can’t say I meant to do that but sometimes you get lucky. Those are the ones you put your head down and say we got some luck on our side.”

Athletica made their luck hold up as the second half of the game saw FC Gold Pride get some late momentum.  Athletica goalkeeper Hope Solo was called into action and saved the win as stoppage time started.

"You have got to give it to the Athletica, they defended with everything they had," said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya.  "We were dangerous throughout the [second] half we just couldn’t put one in the back of the net.”

Solo challenged a ball on the edge and knocked it forward where Gold Pride's Christine Sinclair fired it back towards goal. Solo turned as she retreated and grabbed the shot just inside the penalty area to prevent FC Gold Pride from tying the game.

“I made a better read on that than a save,” said Solo. “I could have retreated to my line but I chose to turn and make a play on it.”

Solo had been tested earlier in the 75th minute as she punched away an Eriko Arakawa screamer. The chance was FC Gold Pride’s best of the game at that point and the first serious threat that Solo had to deal with.

Minutes later Gold Pride's Tiffeny Milbrett nearly equalized when she let go of a well struck right-footed shot that bent from right to left. The chance sailed just a foot or two over the bar ending the best sequence of play from the Bay Area eleven in the game.

Jorge Barcellos did get to display some new talent as forward Christie Welsh and defender Kendall Fletcher subbed into the game in the second half. Welsh and Fletcher were acquired on Friday in a trade with the Los Angeles Sol. Athletica sent draft picks in 2010 and 2011 to Los Angeles in exchange for the duo.

“This is one I’ll never forget,” said Chalupny. “It may not be on the scope of the Olympic Finals or the World Cup Final but this is really big to finally get that win under our belt. To do it at home is perfect."

Athletica have a bye week coming up and then will hit the road for games in Chicago on May 23 and Los Angeles on May 30 before returning home on June 6. FC Gold Pride return to action on Saturday, May 16 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL, against the Chicago Red Stars.

Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)

Post-Game Quotes

Albertin Montoya:
“I’m definitely disappointed, but more so for the girls.  I think we deserved to win.  We played very well especially in the second half.  You have got to give it to the Athetlica, they defended with everything they had.  We were dangerous throughout the [second] half, we just couldn’t put one in the back of the net.”

On the performance of some of the Pride Players:
“Formiga was outstanding tonight.  Eriko [Arakawa] and Christine [Sinclair] and Tiffeny [Milbrett] all did very well.  They were dangerous and did a great job for us.”

“Kandace [Wilson} was a threat all game long. She was outstanding defensively and getting down the line.”

“Rachel Buehler broke up so many of their plays. They never really got anything in the second half. It wasn’t just Buehler, Carrie Dew and Formiga also played great games for us, and from all three of them we created several opportunities.”  

On the Athletica’s Lori Chalupney:
“Chalupney did a good job creating opportunities and making runs.  She was busy and active but we never felt she was dangerous to us in their attacking third.  I felt we were prepared for her.”

Looking forward to next week:
“We are going to continue working on improving our game. We felt we really took it to them but the way this game is we don’t always get the results you want even if you play really well, which we did today.”
 
Rachel Buehler, FC Gold Pride Co-Captain/Defender:
“I think we played well we didn’t necessarily deserve to lose but that’s how it goes in soccer.  First half was pretty even, but I think in the second half we dominated.  When we came out second half, we were eager to get a goal, but couldn’t get one.”

On defending against the Athletica’s forwards:
“Both of their forwards are very quick.  That was challenging to contain them at times. Kandace did a very great job defending, it was easy for her to match their speed. My strategy was to try to meet them while they’re receiving the ball to break up the play.”

On Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart:
“Barney is solid, she is an amazing goalkeeper,” said Buehler of her teammate. “She is so tough and athletic. She is really great coming of the line, skilled with her feet and she’s a good communicator.  She directs the back line really well and that’s important.  She’s kept us in many games, including tonight. I feel completely comfortable having her back there.”

On Barnhart Bouncing back after giving up a tough goal:
“I think she’s able to stay in the game. She came up with a couple of saves for us. She came off the line to get a couple of balls.  She doesn’t let anything get to her in the game she’s mentally tough.”

On back-to-back road games in the Midwest:
“Travel to a degree is tough because you get out of your normal routine, but overall I don’t think its that big of deal to fly back and forth. We have enough time to recover to get prepared for the next game.”

On next week’s match up with the Chicago Red Stars:
“I think we’re going to respond very well,” said Buehler. “I think we’ve been playing good soccer. Today’s loss is disappointing but it’s early in the season and we are getting better and better.  Next week is a great challenge.  They [Chicago Red Stars]are highly ranked, but I think it is a great challenge for us. We have to go out there play to the best of our ability and get some goals.”