CARSON, CA (July 8, 2009) – Saint Louis Athletica walked into The Home Depot Center in Carson, California today with one objective on their mind yet two goals, take three points from LA and stop them from clinching the regular season title. “Not on our watch” as Tina Ellertson said.

An 11th minute goal by Amanda Cinalli set the tone. Eniola Aluko’s run on the left wing saw her turn the corner at the goal line and slip a cross through to the on-rushing Cinalli who calmly slotted home her chance beating Karina LeBlanc. The goal was only Athletica’s second thus far against the Sol and it represented the first time Saint Louis took a lead against Los Angeles this season.

“Aluko made a great play to hit me with a great ball on the ground just outside the six-yard box,” said Cinalli. “I had made a run to the backpost but cut back towards the penalty spot and I just hit it with my left into the right side of the goal.”

“It felt wonderful to be on the road in LA and get a win. Our team worked so hard for it and we are very proud of our performance,” Cinalli concluded.

“It feels great. The team did what we practiced this week. LA pressured us in the second half and we were able to hold. We came out with the win, but we haven’t won anything yet,” head coach Jorge Barcellos stated. “We still have things to work on.”

Athletica took the lead into halftime courtesy of the work of Hope Solo. Solo made her presence felt in the 20th minute with a diving stop against Marta. Marta found enough space in the area to manage a right footed shot, a shot which Solo read well as she dove to her left to cover with an outstretched arm. Solo also held onto the rebound. Solo then stopped Han Duan later in the half on a similar set up, this time pushing Duan’s shot out to the left.

The second half saw more of Hope Solo. Solo stopped Aya Miyama 63rd minute chance and then blanked her again in the 67th minute. Solo ended the day with four saves and several defended crosses and punched out clearances.

The game was not without controversy. In the 70th minute Marta chest bumped Kendall Fletcher to the ground behind the play and well after the play was over. She was only shown a yellow card.

“We did a good job containing Marta today,” said Ellertson. “We knew it was going to take more than one person to contain her and cover her. We did that and that is what kept her off the score sheet.”

Minutes later Amanda Cinalli was brought down in the Los Angeles penalty area when Karina LeBlanc reached out for a ball. LeBlanc’s touch sent Cinalli down to the turf where she landed directly on her left shoulder.

“It hurts and I am trying not to move it much,” said Cinalli later. Cinalli traveled home with her left arm in a sling.

Athletica held on throughout the next 20 minutes stopping every Sol chance coming forward and held on for the win. Saint Louis now has a five point margin over third place Boston and a seven-point margin over fourth place Washington.

Next up for Saint Louis is a July 18 trip to RFK Stadium in Washington to face the Freedom. Athletica returns 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 before two more home games on August 1 and August 5. 


Saint Louis Athletica (7-5-2) vs. Los Angeles (11-2-4)
July 8, 2009 – The Home Depot Center, Carson, California

SCORING SUMMARY:
11 STL Amanda Cinalli (2) – assisted by Eniola Aluko

LINEUPS:
STL: Solo; Logterman, Larsson, Ellertson, Weber; Stoia, Fletcher, Woznuk (McNeill 76), Cinalli (Tancredi 78), Chalupny; Aluko (Cross 91+)

LA: LeBlanc; Makoski, Cox, Bock, Larkin (Wagner 46); Boxx, Abily, Zerboni (Patterson 78), Miyama; Duan (Bogus 46), Marta 


MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:

70	LA	Marta	Yellow Card	Unsporting Behavior
83	STL	McNeill	Yellow Card	Unsporting Behavior

STATS SUMMARY:

	STL	LA
Total Shots:	9	13
Shots on Goal:	6	4
Saves:	4	5
Fouls:	11	9
Corners:	1	8
Offsides:	3	3

Referee: Margaret Domka
Referee's Assistants: Marlene Duffy; Colin Arblaster
4th official: Israel Fernandez
time of game: 1:49
attendance: 4,841
weather: partly cloudy, 72 degrees