W-League Game Report
Saturday, May 17, 2014
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Lady Eagles took a 1-0 victory against the Atlanta Silverbacks at Queens Sports Complex on Saturday night in the opening game of the 2014 W-League season for both sides. Leah Fortune scored the only goal of the game as the Lady Eagles got their season off to a winning start.
The first half started out with the Lady Eagles dominating possession, and they outshot the Silverbacks 12-1 in the opening 45 minutes. There were a number of quality chances for forwards Mackey Wingo and Summer Lanter, but the team couldn't capitalize as Silverbacks goalkeeper Brie Haynes stood tall in goal.
Charlotte finally got on the board in the 33rd minute as Fortune, who is in her third season with the club, took the rebound off a deflection and hammered her finish past Haynes to put the Lady Eagles up 1-0. Valorie O'Brien came close to putting the hosts up 2-0 soon after, but her 35-yard strike rang off the left post and bounced clear of the goal, leaving the score 1-0 at halftime.
The second half was similar to the first, as the Lady Eagles spent the majority of the half in the Silverbacks end with a strong offensive presence. The Lady Eagles continued to have a number of good opportunities but couldn't add to their lead as Haynes finished the game with 10 saves. The Silverbacks struggled to threaten much offensively, and Lady Eagles goalkeeper Robyn Jones was called upon to make just one save.
Jade Montgomery and Fortune combined well late in the game in the Atlanta penalty area. Fortune's cross found Montgomery, who flicked the ball back across the face of goal but no Lady Eagle was at the back post to capitalize on the opportunity, but the missed opportunity would prove academic as Charlotte cruised to victory.
The Lady Eagles next travel to Dayton on Sunday, May 25th to start a three-game road stand before returning home on June 13th to face the Dutch Lions at 5:30 p.m.