Saturday June 24, 2006

          The Atlanta Silverbacks Women squelched a late comeback by the W-League's Atlantic Division leaders, the Charlotte Lady Eagles, to improve to 5-3 on the season. The 2-1 win also moved them up to third place in the Atlantic Division.
          With few opportunities for either team, Atlanta came out of the first half ahead 1-0 from a Sarah Steinmann goal. In the tenth minute, Melanie Schneider played a great through ball to Steinmann who was running into the middle of the box. Steinmann collected the ball and easily put it away for her second goal in as many games.
         Charlotte had a few opportunities early in the half, but the Silverbacks defense was able to contain any threats. The rest of the half consisted mainly of play between the boxes.
         The second half proved to be a pretty even match until the last five minutes. In the 86th minute, Charlotte’s Christy Rife snuck a goal in to tie the game. With such little time left, it seemed as if the game would end in a draw, but Steinmann, playing against her old team, would have none of it. In the 88th minute, Steinmann took down a long ball from Laura Harrison and fired a shot far post from 25 yards out for her second of the game and third in two days.
        The Silverbacks Women had some late scares, but the combination of a strong defense and quick reflexes by Melanie Wilson assured Atlanta’s win. The Atlanta Silverbacks Women look to continue their push for the playoffs next Saturday, July 1st, when they host the Cocoa Expos at 7:30 pm.