Charlotte Eagles News Release - www.charlotteeagles.com
Friday, June 22, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Longtime rivals, the Charlotte Lady Eagles and the Atlanta Silverbacks converged to battle for the 2011 W-League Eastern Conference Championship. Alexa Newfield put Atlanta up 1-0 in the 10th minute. Charlotte did everything they could to comeback, but to no avail, Atlanta hung on to the 1-0 lead for the victory.
With the temperature almost in triple digits the opening of Friday's match was slow. Both teams spent the first few minutes working the midfield without much of an offensive build until the 10th minute.
Atlanta was able to string together a few nice passes finding Newfield at the top of the box. After settling it she effortlessly placed the ball in the top left of the net, putting Atlanta up 1-0.
In the 17th minute Rebekah Niedermayer came up big for the Lady Eagles as she confronted Megan Tomlinson at the top of the box deflecting the shot and keeping Atlanta within one.
The Lady Eagles had their best chance in the first half hour, when Laura Novikoff sent a free kick into the box that almost found its way into the back of Atlanta's net.
Atlanta's relentless pressure produced a free kick on the left side of the box. The cross proved very dangerous for Charlotte as Atlanta's shot hit the post eventually producing a corner kick.
Atlanta's defense held strong in the first half. Charlotte's offense produced a few sparks up front, but nothing of consequence; on the opposite end of the pitch Atlanta's offense made it very difficult for Charlotte's defense.
Just before the half Stacey Balaam made an unnecessary play in the midfield bringing out the first caution of the night.
The Whistle blew calling the half with Atlanta hanging on to their 1-0 lead.
The Lady Eagles had the first real chance of the second half as Ashley Braam served the ball into the box for Ashley Aragona. Unable to gain her composure, she was able to recover and feed the ball through to Christy Rife who took the shot. Atlanta's keeper, Micaela Crowly, handled it neatly.
After an hour into the match the Lady Eagles continued to struggle in the midfield, unable to find any real chemistry.
Amanda Naeher, just after entering the game was cautioned with the second yellow of the night.
Though Atlanta maintained the majority of the possession they were not able to pressure too deep into Charlotte's box.
Despite Charlotte's last chance efforts, Atlanta was able to hang on to their 1-0 lead for the win.
Atlanta moves on to fit fight for the 2011 W-League Championship in Seattle WA.