ATHLETICA POST ROAD VICTORY IN NEW JERSEY 2-1

Elise Weber Hits Game-Winner in 84th Minute

PISCATAWAY, NJ (June 28, 2009) – Saint Louis Athletica wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in New Jersey as Eniola Aluko notched an opening strike in just the second minute of action but it was Elise Weber’s game-winner in the 84th minute that gave a 2-1 at Yurcak Field at Rutgers University in a Women’s Professional Soccer, WPS, Sunday night matchup.

Lori Chalupny provided the ball that Aluko finished off for the first goal as she beat Sky Blue goalkeeper Jenni Branam with a well-placed shot to the far left post. Melissa Tancredi set up Weber for the game-winner late in the second half and Hope Solo turned in a seven save performance.

Saint Louis was able to make Aluko’s opener stick until Julianne Sitch equalized for Sky Blue in the 76th minute. Athletica were unable to clear a ball out of their penalty area and Sitch pounced on a chance and was able to beat Hope Solo with a well-taken show to notch the game at 1-1

“We didn’t play the best but we won the game,” said Aluko. “We played very well against Los Angeles and lost and we played so-so here tonight but we got the result and that is what counts. We kept going and Elise Weber stepped up.”

Weber’s goal was certainly unexpected. Her chance from the right side got over the top of Branam and found its way into the far left netting well inside the post.

“I saw Tancredi take the throw in and their defender was paying attention to her so I just made the run and hoped for something good,” said Weber. The goal was her first as a professional. “I was just looking to get it across the goal and be dangerous with it.”

Athletica absorbed constant pressure from Sky Blue in both halves of the game but for the most part looked comfortable in defense. Sky Blue outshot Saint Louis 21 to 5 and had 8 corners to Athletica’s none. The win moves Athletica up to 17 points for the year and starts a three game road trip in fine fashion. Athletica are now 5-5-2 on the season and have drawn back to the .500 mark for the second time. The win also moves Athletica from fourth to third in the standings.

Next up for Saint Louis is a two game swing to California to face FC Gold Pride on July 5 and Los Angeles on July 8th. Saint Louis will return home to The Anheuser-Busch Soccer


Saint Louis Athletica (4-5-2) vs. Sky Blue FC (3-5-3)
June 28, 2009 – Yurcak Field – Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey

SCORING SUMMARY:
2nd STL Eniola Aluko 4 (assisted by Lori Chalupny)
76th SBFC Julianne Sitch (no assist)
84th STL Elise Weber 1 (assisted by Melissa Tancredi)

LINEUPS:
STL: Solo; Logterman, Larsson Ellertson (Weber 79), McNeill; Fletcher, Cinalli (Tancredi 63), Woznuk, Chalupny; Aluko, Welsh (Stoia 45)

SBFC: Branam; Schnur (McCallum 63), Asante, Rampone, Dowling; Averbuch (Busckowski 66), O’Reilly, Parker, Rosana (Sitch 70); Kai, White

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
None

STATS SUMMARY:
STL SBFC
Total Shots: 5 21
Shots on Goal: 2 8
Saves: 7 0
Fouls: 4 2
Corners: 0 8
Offsides: 7 2
Referee: Felisha Mariscal
Referee's Assistants: Steven Ambrus; Brian Dunn
4th official: Hakan Baydere
time of game: 1:48
attendance: 3,256
weather: calm, 83 degrees