Boston Renegades News Release - www.masspremiersoccer.com

 

Saturday, May 20, 2006

 

BOSTON, MA -- The Boston Renegades were saved an opening day defeat by their former US Women's National Team player, Angela Hucles. Hucles pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area to tie the game to the delight of the big crowd on show at Bowditch Stadium.

From the first whistle, the Lady Riders had a siege mentality rarely threatening the Renegades back four. Lisa Stoia was industrious in attack, with debutant Chrissy Strini pulling the strings in midfield. The Renegades carved out chance after chance. Time after time there seemed to be no end product.

Lindsay Greco rounded the goalkeeper superbly in the first half but was unable to finish her effort from an acute angle. She then ducked and weaved on the right hand side and sent a cross in to the on-rushing Stoia who managed to put the ball the wrong side of the post.

Hucles showed her vast experience helping the Renegades set up wave after wave of attack. The Renegades coaching team of Neil Stafford and Peter Bradley must have been praying for just one of the home team's 19 shots to find the back of the net.

In the second half, Stafford made an inspired substitution. Shaunna Kaplan of Framingham, made her W-League debut and what a debut it was. Kaplan was played in down the left side and sent in a looping cross that seemed to evade the goalkeeper. Luckily for the Riders custodian, the ball cannoned of the crossbar. Kaplan was again to be denied by the frame of the goal only minutes later.

The Lady Riders, however, were not ready to hand over the win so easily. They waited for their chance and capitalized on an opportunity in front of the net, taking the 1-0 lead in the 71st minute when Lisa Burbige found Melissa Shulman for the score.

In the last seven minutes of the game, the Renegades mounted another of their attacks and it paid dividends. Denise Thomas' shot was palmed out by the goalkeeper and Hucles was there to thump the ball into the empty goal to the relief of the Renegades fans.

The Renegades players were probably disappointed in their finishing, but their performance and dogged display in working for the equalizer showed the crowd that this will be another exciting season at Bowditch. Lisa Stoia covered every blade of grass on the field and it was fitting that the native New Yorker didn't go away empty handed against her brethren. Shaunna Kaplan proved that she has the ability to un-nerve the best in the W-League and showed that her youthfulness and enthusiasm for the game will give Coach Stafford a fantastic outlet in offense.

 

Stafford was obviously disappointed after the game. "We are disappointed with the result. We dominated possession and the game and we weren't expecting to go down to a team that only had two shots all night. Nevertheless, the players battled back and showed their character in getting the equalizer," stated the Renegades head coach.

Next up for the Renegades will be a road trip to the Northern Virgina Majestics and the New Jersey Wildcats over the weekend of June 3-4. The Renegades will then take on the New York Magic on June 10th at 7:30pm at Bowditch Stadium.