Thursday May 29, 2008
ATLANTA—The Silverbacks Women and Under-23s will host a double-header Friday at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. The Under-23s kick off the night facing the Carolina Dynamo at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Women at 7:55 in a pivotal match-up with the Charlotte Lady Eagles.

(Photo Captions: Photo One—The Silverbacks Women look to remain unbeaten Friday against fellow conference front-runner Charlotte. Photo Two—Under-23s captain Ryan Roshandel leads the Silverbacks with four goals on the season. Photos by Elaine Carroll)

Women Can Take Sole Possession of First With Win

The Silverbacks (5-0-0, 15 points) and Charlotte (5-0-0, 15 points) are level atop the Atlantic Division table. The Silverbacks hold the  top position with a plus 17 goal differential (18 goals for and one goal against) to Charlotte's plus 14 (16 for and two against).

“This match is going to do a lot to decide the standings,” said head coach Tony Anglin. “Because it's such a short season, three points can determine everything.”

The Silverbacks are coming off an impressive four match road swing, winning all four games without conceding a goal, tallying 15. Goalkeepers Allison Whitworth and Ashley Phillips have split time in goal.

Offensively, the Silverbacks are led by last week's W-league player of the week, Sarah Steinmann, who has eight goals on the season, including a hat trick in the Silverbacks 5-0 win at the Carolina RailHawks.

On Monday the Silverbacks had little difficulty at the Richmond Kickers Destiny, topping off the four-game road swing with a 3-0 win.
Christine Latham (four goals on the season), Steinmann, and Lyndsay Patterson tallied versus Richmond. Patterson's goal was her second on the season and in consecutive games.

“Lyndsay's play has been fantastic,” Anglin said. “Not only is she getting goals, but she is playing a huge role on set pieces and working hard in the midfield.”

Charlotte is coming off a 3-0 win Wednesday over Bradenton Athletics. Christy Rife had a pair of goals and Nikky Lyons added a third.

“Charlotte has a core of players that have been playing together for a long time,” Anglin said. “They know each other's game in and out. They are always difficult to play.

In 2007 the Silverbacks split the home and away series with Charlotte, winning 2-0 at Silverbacks Park and falling 3-0 at Charlotte.

Notes

A Happy Pair
The Silverbacks have utilized two goalkeepers this season. Ashley Phillips has started two games without conceding a goal. Allison Whitworth has three games to her credit, and has only conceded one goal—a penalty kick.

Home Again
The Silverbacks return to Silverbacks Park for a four-game home stand after four consecutive road games.

Run Away Leader
Sarah Steinmann leads all W-League goal scorers with eight goals in five games played. The next closest is Laura Del Rio from the F.C. Indiana Lionesses with five goals in two games.

Familiar Face
Before joining the Silverbacks, Sarah Steinmann appeared 22 times for Charlotte in 2003 and 2004, tallying six goals.

Next Up
The Silverbacks Women are in actions again June 7, hosting the Tampa HUC Hellenic at Silverbacks Park. Kickoff is at 7:55.

Under-23s Unbeaten in Three

The Under-23 look to continue its three game win streak Friday versus the Carolina Dynamo at Atlanta.

“Carolina is one of the top clubs in the PDL. It's going to be a very difficult battle,” said head coach Steve Muccillo. “We're playing better with each game. Hopefully it will be enough to come out with three points.”

The Silverbacks (3-1-1, 10 points, third place) are coming off an impressive performance in its 2-0 win over the Nashville Metros on Tuesday at Silverbacks Park. Pascal Millien and Ryan Roushandel scored for the Silverbacks in the win.

Roushandel now has four goals on the season, and is ranked second with three others for goals scored in the league. Millien's goal was his second on the season. Goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer earned his third consecutive clean sheet, and has yet to concede a goal in his three starts for the Silverbacks.

Carolina (3-1-1, 10 points, fourth place) is coming off a 2-2 draw with the Panama City Pirates Saturday. Jamie Franks put the first mark on the match's score sheet  in the 32nd minute and Sam Cronin rescued a point from the match in the 90th minute for the Dynamo.

Carolina's Miguel DaSilva is currently ranked second in the league in goals with five goals in five games.

In 2007 the Silverbacks managed eight points in the four-game series, drawing Carolina 0-0 and 2-2 away, and winning 3-1 and 2-0 at Silverbacks Park.