(September 23, 2010)--The Philadelphia Independence defeated the Boston Breakers in tonight’s WPS Super Semifinal matchup, eliminating Boston and moving into the WPS Championship game against FC Gold Pride. The Independence defeated Boston for the first time this season in an exciting 2-1 comeback victory, with Caroline Seger scoring the equalizing goal and Danesha Adams netting the game winner for Philly in overtime.

Boston dominated the majority of the first half, with several dangerous chances in the first twenty minutes of play. The Breakers combination of speed and skill showed from the first whistle, and the Independence called on keeper Val Henderson in the 12th minute to make an athletic, reactive save on Kristine Lilly’s shot from 25 yards out. Fabiana’s quickness up top was problematic for Philly, but they were able to keep her scoreless. Lauren Cheney finally put the Breakers on the board in the 22nd minute when she collected a ball from Lilly at the top of the box and chipped the ball in just under the bar, giving Boston a 1-0 lead.

The lead didn’t hold for long, however, as Philly struck back just seven minutes later with a goal from Swedish midfielder Caroline Seger. Rodriguez slotted the ball wide to Seger on the right side of the goal and her shot skimmed low past Naeher into the far netting to equalize for Philadelphia. Less than a minute later, the Independence nearly struck again when Naeher and central defender Amy LePelbeit collided and Rodriguez collected the ball behind them, putting a slow shot on goal that was cleared off the line by Boston defender Ifeoma Dieke. Despite two more good opportunities created by Fabiana and Cheney, the Independence defense held strong and the half ended at 1-1.

Both teams came out with increased urgency in the second half, and the Independence had two near goals from Rodriguez less than ten minutes into play. In the 48th minute, Lianne Sanderson slotted a ball in and Rodriguez’s touch beat both LePeilbeit and Naeher, but she couldn’t get her shot inside the open net. The scenario repeated itself a few minutes later when Rodriguez’s speed put her in behind Naeher, but again her shot hit the side netting outside the open goal.

Boston turned on the heat as time wound down, and Cheney had back-to-back chances in the 86th minute that nearly ended the game in regulation. A bending free kick found Cheney’s head but sailed over the bar, and seconds later Cheney got in behind the Independence defense and ripped a shot for Val Henderson to tip wide. In the 88th minute, Kelly Smith collected a lofted ball in behind the Philly back line and was left 1-v-1 with Henderson but her shot went just high. The Independence held their ground and regulation ended tied at one goal apiece.

Although Philadelphia played 120 minutes just four days earlier, they looked like the fresher team in overtime tonight. In the thirteenth minute of extra time, Danesha Adams netted what would be the game winner for the Independence. Adams buried Tina DiMartino’s cross to the back post, putting Philadelphia ahead by one with just over fifteen minutes left to play.

Boston nearly equalized on several occasions, and in the 23rd minute of extra time the Breakers missed a golden opportunity to put the ball away. Breakers sub Kasey Moore nailed a shot off the crossbar and the rebound fell to a wide open Alex Scott six yards in front of the goal. Scott badly mishit the ball and Henderson came up with a big save to preserve the Independence lead until the final whistle.

With tonight’s victory, the Independence moves one step closer to the coveted title of WPS Champions. Philly still has one massive task ahead of them: to beat the well-rested Regular Season Champs FC Gold Pride on their home turf this Sunday. The Independence has already accomplished an incredible amount this season, but will be looking to make history by becoming just the third professional sports expansion team in history to capture a Championship in their first year as a franchise.

Catch the expansion Independence in action this Sunday, September 26 as they take on the Regular Season Champs FC Gold Pride in the WPS Championship presented by Citi. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30pm ET and the game will be televised live on FSN.