Atlanta Silverbacks

After outshooting their opponents 17-2, the Atlanta Silverbacks Women beat the Bradenton Athletics 1-0 with a goal in stoppage time tonight at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium. In the same co-captain combination from last week’s game winning-goal, Christine Latham headed the ball into the net off a corner kick from Krista Davey. The Silverbacks maintained their home unbeaten streak with the win, taking their record to 5-1-0.

“I was incredibly relieved when we got the goal – we’d been trying and trying all night. After having so many close chances, I felt pure and utter excitement when Christine’s header went in,” commented Davey.

“Krista and the rest of the team kept giving us great crosses all night; we should’ve finished one much earlier in the match and capitalized our chances. Luckily my teammates kept providing me with great opportunities and I was happy to get one in the net,” commented Latham.

          The Silverbacks dominated possession in the first half and had many dangerous offensive chances, but in what would become the theme of the night, they were unable to finish. Latham had a great chance in the 10th minute with a shot that beat Bradenton’s goalkeeper, Shannon Aitkin, but couldn’t get past the near post. The Silverbacks left the field with a scoreless tie.
          The second half began much like the first and the Silverbacks had a great chance just ten minutes in to play, but Siobhan Rooney’s header was also denied by the post. Latham got a header into the net in the 57th minute off a free kick from Katie Eriksson, but the referee called offsides and the goal did not count. The Silverbacks continued to pound the Athletics’ defense but could not get anything into the net. Bradenton’s goalkeeper, Aitkin, made an impressive eight saves in the match. In the 78th minute Rebecca Hall was the third Silverbacks player to have a shot go off the frame of the goal. The ball barely made it across the halfway line in the second half and Bradenton did not have any shots on goal. After putting the pressure on the Athletics for the entire game, Latham’s goal in the 90th minute put the Silverbacks up 1-0 just in the knick of time.
          The Atlanta Silverbacks Women will play again at home next Friday, June 22 against the Hampton Roads Piranhas at 7:55 pm at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium. For ticket information, call 1-866-GO-BACKS (1-866-462-2257) or visit www.atlantasilverbacks.com.

Atlanta’s starters: Melanie Wilson, Katie Eriksson (Kay Harbrueger – 82), Rebecca Hall, Ronda Brooks, Sharolta Nonen, Carolyn Ford, Krista Davey, Christine Latham, Siobhan Rooney, Sara Power, Tara Minnax (Candace West – 68).
Goals: Latham – 90 (Davey)
Cautions: Minnax - 45

Bradenton’s starters: Shannon Aitkin, Libby Gianeskis, Kelsey Kravec, Whitney Colburn (Kendra Merchant – 45), Kincaid Schmidt, Nikki Dejongh, Megan Manthey, Shannon Agnew (Anna-Kay Logan – 64), Cassie Barbaresi, Annie Stalzer, Aubrey Aden-Buile (Martha Hall – 90).
Goals:
Cautions: