Atlanta Silverbacks Press Release - www.atlantasilverbacks.com

Saturday, May 10

ATLANTA—The Silverbacks Women kicked off the 2008 season Saturday night at Silverbacks Park topping the Hampton Roads Piranhas 3-1. Sarah Steinmann had a brace for the Silverbacks, and Kristine Latham added the third.

"We wanted to get a goal early,” said first-year Silverback head coach Tony Anglin. “That didn’t happen.”

After several close calls in the opening minutes of the match, the Silverbacks found themselves down a goal in the 25th minute when Tara Minnax was whistled for a reckless challenge in the penalty area on the Piranhas’ Joy Nsubuga. Mercy Akide Udoh calmly stepped up and pushed the ball to the lower right corner past a helpless Alison Whitworth.

Sarah Steinmann nearly drew the home side level six minutes later smacking a powerfully taken free kick from 25 yards out off the crossbar. And five minutes after that Latham had a clear chance at goal after beating two defenders off the dribble but hit the resulting shot straight at the often-tested Lauren Hollandsworth.

Just before the half time whistle Latham has another chance, getting her head on the end of a Monica Buff cross, but putting it just wide. The resulting goal kick was played back by Rebecca Hall onto Steinmann, who muscled a defender off the ball and poked it around a helpless Hollandsworth to draw the match level in added time.

The Silverbacks continued to push the attack entering the second half.
Latham forced Hollandsworth to save spectacularly off a snap-header from six-yards out.

But Whitworth would not be outdone, keeping the score level in the 63rd minute, diving bravely at the feet of Kim McMullen to snatch a clear scoring chance.

In the 72nd minute Steinmann nearly got her second after Latham was taken brutally down just outside the penalty area. Steinmann’s blistering free kick just missed wide. Four minutes later she would not be denied, getting on the end of a looping far post cross from Minnax, heading home her second on the night and the match winner.

“Getting scored on early was tough, but we just kept fighting and creating opportunities,” said Steinmann. “We knew the goals would come.
It was just a matter of getting back into it.”

Latham topped off the scoring just before the final whistle, tapping in a Kay Harbrueger cross from inside the six-yard box.

“Overall, I’m very pleased,” said Anglin. “We got the goals we needed and got three points out of it. We’re going to have to work on some things still, but it’s a positive start to the season.”

The Silverbacks take the much needed three points on a four-game road swing before returning to Silverbacks Park May 30 to face Charlotte.

Atlanta Silverbacks
Alison Whitworth, Ronda Brooks, Tara Minnax, Rebecca Hall, Carolyn Ford, Sharolta Nonen, Monica Buff (Stephanie Smith 83), Melanie Schneider (Randi Lynn Bruso 66), Lindsay Patterson (Kay Harbrueger 83) , Sarah Steinmann (Krista Bobo 85), Christine Latham (Jill Porto 90).

Hampton Roads Piranhas
Lauren Hollandsworth, Kelly Lawrence, Florence Omagbmi Onuja, Katie Windsper, Kim McMullen, Wendy Waddell-Kotwas, Kimberly Francis, Jamie Clarke (Laura Jackson 66), Melanie Cobb, Joy Nsubuga, Mercy Akide Udoh (Emily Kittleson 66).

Goals:
HRP— Akide Udoh (Pen) 25
ATL—Steinmann (Hall) 45
ATL—Steinmann (Minnax) 78
ATL—Latham (Harbrueger) 90

Misconduct:
HRP— Omagbmi Onuja (caution) 42
ATL—Latham (caution) 77

Attendance: 916