The Washington Freedom's Sonia Bompastor and Becky Sauerbrunn celebrate after combining to score the goal that knotted the score. (Jose Argueta | isiphotos.com)

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BOYDS, Md. (April 11, 2009) – After being held scoreless by the Los Angeles Sol two weeks before, the Washington Freedom (0-1-1) scored its first goal in its WPS history during a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Red Stars (1-0-1) at the Maryland SoccerPlex Saturday evening in Boyds, Md. in front of 5,028 fans.

Defender Becky Sauerbrunn scored the team’s first WPS goal in the 54th minute on a cross from midfielder Sonia Bompastor to tie the score. Chicago’s Lindsay Tarpley scored the first WPS goal at the Maryland SoccerPlex in the 29th minute on an assist from Marian Dalmy.

Washington outshot Chicago 26-8, including preventing the Red Stars from taking a single shot in the second half. The Freedom kept Red Stars goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson busy, as she saved 13 of 14 shots, including 8 of 9 in the Freedom’s second half barrage. The Freedom had an excellent chance to tally the game-winner in the 82nd minute when Abby Wambach dove to head Bompastor's cross on goal, but Jonsson slapped he shot away.

Part of the barrage was due to Chicago playing a player down after captain Frida Ostberg picked up her second yellow card of the match in the 63rd minute.

The Freedom will look for their first victory of the season when they host the Boston Breakers (1-1-0) on Saturday, April 18 at 7pm ET.  The Red Stars, meanwhile, return to Chicago to hold their home opener on Sunday, April 19 versus Sky Blue FC (0-1-1) in a match that will be aired on Fox Soccer Channel (6pm ET/3pm PT).

Boxscore (All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.)