Boston Breakers vs. Washington Spirit: Final Score 3-0, Sanderson earns three assists

Chantel Jones returned as goalkeeper for the Washington Spirit, and her team didn’t fare any better than they did in her debut against Portland. Lianne Sanderson and the Boston Breakers dominated the game, testing Jones throughout and eventually winning 3-0.

Boston had a corner kick in the 17^th minute that provided Sanderson with a chance to open the scoring but her low strike sailed wide of the post. Washington would spend the night sitting back and defending, rarely finding an opportunity to move forward and seeing clearances immediately picked up by the home side.

The opening goal was derived from a fantastic piece of defending from Simon, who dispossessed Diana Matheson in the 37^th minute. After winning the ball, Simon slipped it to Sanderson outside the box. She in turn was able to chip the ball into the area for Heather O’Reilly, who managed to tip it over Jones to claim a 1-0 lead for Boston.

Sanderson was instrumental in Boston doubling their lead in the 52^nd minute when she threaded a pass into the box for an open Katie Schoepfer, who duly struck home for the second goal of the night. Washington found it impossible to gain foothold in the match -- even when they managed to get forward the Breakers’ back line was handling their offense effortlessly.

The 2-0 lead couldn’t quench Simon’s thirst for another goal. She tried to find the back of the net in the 58^th and 62^nd, minutes but both attempts went wide of the post. Then Sanderson, the assist queen, created an opening for Simon to send a powerful strike into the upper corner of the net.

Boston was given another opportunity on goal in the 77^th minute after they claimed Tori Huster had a hand ball in the box. The referee rewarded Boston with a penalty kick but it was stopped by Jones. It was a small triumph in what was otherwise a miserable game for Washington.