|
Wildcats Tie Freedom in
Exhibition
GERMANTOWN, MD
- For the first time this season, the New Jersey Wildcats
stepped onto the field and didn't win a game. Taking on the Washington
Freedom at the Maryland SoccerPlex, the Wildcats came from behind to earn
a 1-1 tie in an exhibition match. The game against the former WUSA team
doesn't count in the W-League standings where the Wildcats currently lead
the league with an 8-0 mark.
The Wildcats held
a 22-3 advantage in shots but couldn't find the game-winner against
the Freedom, who connected early in the game and sat back on defense the
rest of the way. The two teams face each other in a rematch on July 7th at
7:30 p.m. when the Wildcats host the Freedom at Mercer County Community
College.
Washington scored in the fourth minute
on their first attack on the Wildcats defense. Nataly Arias settled a long
cross from Hannah Madej and knocked in a shot at the far post for a 1-0
Washington lead. The Wildcats countered in the 55th minute on a goal by
Marinette Pichon. Kelly Smith started the play beating two defenders up
the left side and before sending a cross into the box. Pichon, who was
named the W-League Player of Week yesterday by the USL, hammered a header
inside the right post to knot the game at 1-1.
Freedom goalkeeper Nikki Wright
preserved the tie for the Freedom with 11 saves with many of the acrobatic
variety. Wright repeatedly held off the Wildcats including a stop on
Pichon in the 64th minute when the French star fired a spectacular bicycle
kick right at Wright from eight yards out.
The Wildcats have a
nine-day break before hitting the road for a match against the Western
Mass Lady Pioneers on July 2nd at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass. The
Wildcats topped the Pioneers earlier in the season 4-0 at Mercer County
Community College. New Jersey returns to MCCC for the rematch against Washington on July 7th at 7:30 p.m.
|
