The Washington Freedom again struggled to score goals over the weekend with games against the New York Magic and the Northern Virginia Majestics. Both the Magic and the Majestics played inspired defense and both held a 1-0 lead over the Freedom for considerable time. In both games the Freedom remained composed and continued to create numerous scoring opportunities.
The Magic took advantage of a couple of Freedom defensive lapses and had three shots in the first half. In the 46th minute Noella Meeke and Freedom defender Emily Janss both went to head the ball and the deflected shot found its way into the Freedom net to give the visiting team momentum and inspiration heading into the second half. The Freedom came out and held the Magic in their own end for most of the second half and created chance after chance, but either could not find the target or Magic goalkeeper Alicia DeFino was there to make the save. In the 64th minute, the Freedom finally tied the game after a nice build up, and a great cross from Jenn Parsons finished with a perfectly placed shot from Lori Lindsey. It took the Freedom until the 86th minute for substitute Jill Gilbeau to find the winner from a Christie Welsh assist.
Freedom 2 Magic 1
Shots: Freedom 21 Magic 5
Saves: Freedom 3 Magic 10
Corners: Freedom 9 Magic 1
Attendance: 912
Sunday night against the Majestics marked the return of three former Freedom players, as Kelly Hammond, Tara Kidwell and Katie Watson took the field with the Majestics. Hammond would put the Majestics up 1-0 on a well-taken penalty kick in the 10th minute. Kika Toulouse beat Emily Janss, and as she entered the penalty area Toulouse was taken down by Janss. The Majestics would hold on through the first half, eluding numerous scoring chances created by the Freedom. The second half was more of the same, as the Freedom dominated possession and squandered scoring chances. The Freedom would hit the crossbar and the post and Majestic goalkeeper Kate Milstead made all the necessary saves to preserve the lead. Substitute Tiffany McCarty provided the spark needed and finally broke through with a fine shot in the 86th minute that left Milstead helpless. The Freedom still pushed for the winner but ended up with a frustrating tie.
Freedom 1 Majestics 1
Shots: Freedom 32 Majestics 3
Saves: Freedom 2 Majestics 23
Corners: Freedom 7 Majestics 1
Attendance: 848
Coach Jim Gabarra’s thoughts on the weekend: “With the way we played we should feel fortunate to get four points out of the two games this weekend. Our goal was to win both matches but our finishing needs to be a lot better. We are creating more than enough chances but just cannot put them away at this time. Credit the Magic and the Majestics for inspired defending.”
