SANTA CLARA, CA (July 5, 2009) – Lori Chalupny struck what may have been one of the better goals of her career to give Saint Louis Athletica a 1-0 win over FC Gold Pride in a Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) match at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Chalupny’s 73rd minute effort was a cleanly struck line drive from well outside the left edge of the penalty area that beat Nicole Barnhart to the upper far corner. The goal, Chalupny’s second of the year, gave Athletica a hard earned three points and moves them into sole possession of second place in the WPS standings. Athletica have 20 points now on the season

“It was a great ball from Tina Ellertson to free me up on the left side,” said Chalupny. “I took a good first touch across the defender to find some space. It couldn’t have been a better strike, upper corner, far post.”

“Three big points,” exclaimed head coach Jorge Barcellos. “Three very important points.”

Barcellos’ assessment is short but true. Athletica are now in a great position to cement a playoff position and a home playoff game in the WPS Super-Semifinal if they can maintain their advantage over Boston and Washington. Saint Louis is now two points clear of Boston and four clear of fourth place Washington. Athletica have seven games remaining, four of which are at home.

The timing of Chalupny’s second half goal could not have been better. Knotted at zero moving late into the second half FC Gold Pride looked like they were establishing some momentum. Just four minutes prior to Chalupny’s goal Hope Solo made two dramatic saves on back-to-back shots to keep FC Gold Pride off the board. The sequence against Solo was the best opportunity of the game for the Bay Area side. Chalupny’s goal then set up Saint Louis to defend for the remaining 15 minutes plus stoppage time.

Chalupny and Woznuk had the best early chances of the second half. Woznuk driving a second ball over the bar from range and Chalupny reaching to toe-poke a shot at the six yard box.

Athletica dominated the play in the first half creating five quality chances to FC Gold Pride’s none. Eniola Aluko nearly struck for an 11th minute opener on a ball fed in by Angie Woznuk. Barnhart made a comfortable save on Aluko’s shot. Melissa Tancredi nearly got Saint Louis on the board in the 16th minute when her header just sailed over the top of the crossbar. Tancredi rose to meet an Angie Woznuk free kick but Tancredi’s shot would not have counted as the linesman judged her to be offsides.

Eniola Aluko nearly struck in the 29th minute when she brought down a long ball from Tina Ellertson and managed to turn into a right-footed shot. Aluko caught the ball slightly with her right heel allowing Barnhart to make another sure handed save. Melissa Tancredi managed another headed attempt in the 35th minute on another fine ball from Angie Woznuk. Two minutes later Aluko nearly struck again, this time Melissa Tancredi found her striking partner with a well placed through ball. Aluko’s shot was directly at Barnhart.

Next up for Saint Louis is a Wednesday afternoon tilt in Los Angeles on July 8. Athletica finish their four game trip in Washington DC at RFK Stadium on July 18 against the Freedom. Saint Louis will return home to The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park on July 22 to face Sky Blue FC for a third and final time this year. Athletica will then face FC Gold Pride for a third meeting on July 26.

Saint Louis Athletica (6-5-2) vs. FC Gold Pride (3-7-3)
July 5, 2009 – Buck Shaw – Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California

SCORING SUMMARY:
73 STL Lori Chalupny (2)

LINEUPS:
STL: Solo; Logterman, Larsson, Ellertson, McNeill (Weber 46); Fletcher, Cinalli (Walter 77), Woznuk, Chalupny; Aluko, Tancredi (Welsh 68)

BAY: Barnhart; Abegg, Buehler, Graczyk, Robinson; Dew (Sissi 78), Osborne, Formiga, DiMartino (Chastain 74); Sinclair, Erika (Arakawa 65)

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:

63rd Minute

BAY

Rachel Buehler

Yellow Card

STATS SUMMARY:

	STL	BAY
Total Shots:	12	9
Shots on Goal:	8	5
Saves:	4	7
Fouls:	4	7
Corners:	3	2
Offsides:	7	0

Referee: Veronica Brito
Referee's Assistants: Veronica Perez, Said Ravanfar
4th official: Andres Pfefferkorn
time of game: 1:48
attendance: 2,861
weather: calm, 72 degrees