Another Early Lead Evaporates for Breakers

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Courtney Jones gave the Breakers the lead going into halftime, but for the second straight game, it would not last as the Seattle Reign handed Boston a 3-2 loss on Sunday at Memorial Stadium.

Jones grabbed her third goal of the season in the 18th minute to put the Breakers on the board early. But the second half spelled doom for the guests, who watched Nahomi Kawasumi equalize in the 56th minute and an own goal put the Reign on top. Katie Schoepfer put the match back on level terms in the 78th minute, but Kawasumi struck again in the 83rd minute to decide it once and for all.

The loss extended the Breakers winless streak at five (0-3-2), while the Reign remain unbeaten this season (13-0-3).

In game that was wide open from the start, the Breakers took the initiative, with Nkem Ezurike and Heather O’Reilly both firing away at Hope Solo’s net. Seattle countered with a slew of shots after the 10th minute, as Solo’s counterpart, Alyssa Naeher, was called upon to make four saves.

Jones was the first to break through inside of 18 minutes when she beat Solo, much to the surprise of the Reign supporters, who did not expect the last-place Breakers to pose a problem for their club.

But the lead that Jones affored her squad would not last for long in the second half. After making one save after another against a hungry Reign attack, there was little Naeher could do when Kawasumi slid one through in the 56th minute. An own goal forced by the relentless pressure of Kim Little put the Reign on top shortly after Kawasumi’s first goal.

To their credit, the Breakers never quit, despite the heavy odds against them. Schoepfer scored on a quick counter to put Boston back on level terms with the first-place Reign in the 78th minute.

Any hopes of denying Seattle maximum points were shattered in the 83rd minute when Kawasumi tallied for a second time, paving the way for the Reign’s 13th victory of the season.

Boston returns to action at 9pm ET on Friday at BBVA Compass Stadium, where they’ll face the Houston Dash.