The Boston Breakers concluded their two-match series with the Jamaican Women’s National Team by beating the Reggae Girlz 5-0 for the second time this week. And in a repeat of the first match, five different players scored for the Breakers.
“I’m very pleased with the girls tonight,” Boston Breakers head coach Tom Durkin said. “They put in a full performance. I’m very happy. We’re coming along.”
Jamaica made several changes from the first match, including four new starters, in an attempt to field a more competitive side.
“There was much more resistance from Jamaica. They were more organized. They brought some new players in,” Durkin said. “It took quite a long time to break them down, but our girls played some really good stuff tonight in tough conditions: small field and not a great surface.”
Jamaica threatened early when Nugene Nugent hit a shot from the top corner of the box in the 10th minute, but it went wide of goal.
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The Breakers countered minutes later when Rafinha put a shot on goal, but it was cleared off the line by Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw. In the 28th minute, Suzane Pires nearly made it a 1-0 game, heading a cross from Mollie Pathman just wide. But Pires would not be denied two minutes later. Bia took advantage of a failed clearance by Jamaica. She played the ball in to Ketlen at the top of the box before Ketlen laid it off for Bia. The crafty midfielder then crossed to Pires, who beat Jamaica keeper Kalijah Terilli to give the Breakers a 1-0 lead. It was Pires’ second goal of the preseason and Bia’s second assist.
Two minutes later, Kristie Mewis scored off a rebound, making it a 2-0 game. It was Mewis’ second goal in as many games. Mewis has been one of the top performers in the preseason for Boston.
Skyscraper Blues
The Breakers took a 2-0 lead into the second half and extended it in the 50th minute. Stephanie Verdoia served a perfect ball into the box on a set piece, and Cat Whitehill headed it past Jamaica keeper Taylor Grant, who came on for Terilli to start the second half. For Whitehill, it was her second goal this week against Jamaica.
In the 61st minute, Nkem Ezurike received a pass at the front post from Jasmin Corniel. Ezurike beat Grant to the ball, shielded her, and scored far post to put the Breakers ahead, 4-0. Amy Barczuk capped the scoring in the 80th minute, heading in a corner kick from Verdoia. It was Barczuk’s first goal of the preseason.
Keepers Jami Kranichand Paige Burnett who made her debut tonight, combined on the shutout.
With the win Saturday night, the Breakers improved to 3-0 on the preseason and have outscored their opponents by a total of 14-0.
The Breakers return to Boston Monday, and on Saturday, April 4, they play the University of Connecticut at Fore Kicks Sports Complex in Marlborough at 7 p.m.
MATCH REPORT
Match: Boston Breakers vs. Jamaican Women’s National Team
Date: March 28, 2015
Venue: Central Winds Park, Winter Springs, Florida
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Attendance: Estimated 500
Weather: 68 degrees, sunny
Lineups
BOS: Jami Kranich (Paige Burnett, 65), Mollie Pathman (Samantha Lofton, 46), Kassey Kallman (Chanel Johnson, 46), Rachel Wood (Cat Whitehill, 46), Maddy Evans (Jasmin Corniel, 46), Suzane Pires (Katie Schoepfer, 46), Bia (Amy Barczuk, 46), Rafinha (Stephanie Verdoia, 46), Ketlen (Bianca Brinson, 46), Stephanie McCaffrey (Morgan Marlborough, 30; Nkem Ezurike 60), Kristie Mewis (Jamia Fields, 46)
Subs not used: none
JAM: Kalijah Terilli, Kiana Clarke, Ashleigh Shim, Nugene Nugent, Shakira Duncan, Sashana Campbell (C), Alika Keene, Trudi Carter, Christine Exeter, Dominque Bond, Khadija Shaw
GOALS 1 2 F
Jamaica 0 0 0
Boston Breakers 2 3 5
SCORING SUMMARY
Goal Time Team Goal Scorer Assist
1 35 Boston Breakers Suzane Pires Bia
2 37 Boston Breakers Kristie Mewis
3 50 Boston Breakers Cat Whitehill Stephanie Verdoia
4 61 Boston Breakers Nkem Ezurike Jasmin Corniel
5 80 Boston Breakers Amy Barczuk Stephanie Verdoia
CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS
Time Team # Player Card Reason
None