Breakers Extend Streak in Capital
- Updated: June 6, 2015
Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz
The first goal of Maddy Evans’ professional career allowed the Breakers to extend its unbeaten streak to four after securing a 1-1 draw against the Washington Spirit on Saturday at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md.
Evans, who was signed by the Breakers as a free agent in 2013, equalized in the 66th minute after Amanda DaCosta opened the scoring in the 64th minute. Jami Kranich, who made eight saves, preserved the result by denying Crystal Dunn on a breakaway in the 83rd minute.
In addition to going 2-0-2 in their last four, Saturday’s draw marked the first road point of the season for the Breakers (3-3-2, 11 points). The draw allowed the Spirit (4-3-2, 14 points) to stay unbeaten for the second straight week.
A determined Spirit side kept Kranich busy during the first half, as the Breakers’ keeper collected five save before the interval. The toughest shot she faced before the break came in the 21st minute, when Dunn broke free and pulled the trigger before Kranich made a strong save to deny her.
While the hosts controlled the first 45, Kristie Mewis put the Spirit on notice when she uncorked a shot off the post in the 40th minute.
The attacking form displayed by the Spirit finally paid dividends just after the hour. DaCosta launched a cross into the box that was poked away by Kranich, who attempted to reclaim it. But DaCosta beat her to the rebound, and the Spirit midfielder sent it through to give her squad the breakthrough in the 64th minute.
DaCosta’s strike didn’t hold up for long. Two minutes later, Evans pounced on a sloppy clearance, dribbled into the box, and buried it to level the proceedings in the 66th minute.
Mewis nearly stole the go-ahead right before stoppage time when her blast from distance smacked the crossbar.
The Breakers will attempt to stretch their unbeaten streak to five on Jun. 21 when they host Seattle Reign FC. Kickoff is set for 4:00pm.
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