WUSA Roundup

Breakers clinch home playoff game with win over Courage

BOSTON (AP) -- Dagny Mellgren scored in the 79th minute as the Boston Breakers set a team record for victories and clinched a home playoff game by beating the Carolina Courage 1-0 Wednesday night.

Boston's win, combined with Washington's 2-0 loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday, ensured the Breakers will finish in at least second place in the WUSA and host a semifinal game on Aug. 16.

The Breakers (9-4-7) also extended their franchise-best unbeaten streak to nine games.

Heather Aldama and Kristine Lilly set up the game-winner by Mellgren, her league-leading 14th goal of the season. Aldama curled a crossing pass to Mellgren, who was waiting 20 feet from the net. Carolina keeper Kristin Luckenbill initially stopped Mellgren's shot, but the ball rolled away and through to the net.

Breakers keeper Karina LeBlanc made two spectacular saves in the game's opening minutes, stopping Danielle Slanton in the 13th minute and Brooke O'Hanley in the 24th en route to her third shutout of the season.

Carolina (7-10-3) was eliminated from playoff contention.

Beat 1, CyberRays 1

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- The Atlanta Beat clinched home-field advantage for the first round of the WUSA playoffs by tying the San Jose CyberRays 1-1 Wednesday night.

The Beat (9-4-7) can secure the best record in the league and the No. 1 seeding for the postseason with a win or tie against New York on Saturday.

The tie eliminated the CyberRays (7-9-4) from postseason contention with one game left.

Atlanta's Charmaine Hooper converted a penalty kick in the 10th minute, after San Jose defender Amanda Cromwell fouled Maribel Dominguez from behind in the penalty area.

Katia tied the match for San Jose on a header 15 minutes later.

Charge 2, Freedom 0

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) -- Marinette Pichon scored twice, and Hope Solo recorded her second consecutive shutout, leading the Philadelphia Charge past the Washington Freedom 2-0 Wednesday.

Pavlina Scasna added two assists for Philadelphia (5-11-4), which won its second straight contest after an eight-game winless skid. Solo made four saves, all in the second half, to follow her 3-0 shutout Saturday against Atlanta.

Washington (9-7-4) had a four-game unbeaten streak end.

Pichon scored in the 20th and 53rd minutes to raise her season total to 14 goals. It was her second straight two-goal game.

Washington's best opportunity came in the 25th minute when Mia Hamm shot just wide left.

In the second half, Solo tipped a shot by Jacqui Little over the crossbar in the 66th minute and saved a shot by Lori Lindsey in the 85th. Solo almost lost her shutout seconds later but Abby Wambach hit the left post.

 

Related information

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video