Sunday July 13, 2008
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina—The Atlanta Silverbacks Women remained unbeaten and clinched the Atlantic Division title and a coveted spot in the playoffs topping second-place Charlotte 4-2 Saturday night. Christine Latham had a hat trick in the drubbing. Jill Porto also had a goal for the Silverbacks.

“I'm elated. Everyone stepped up and got the job done, and now we're through,” head coach Tony Anglin said.

But in the opening half, it did not look like things were going to go the Silverbacks way. In fact, the Silverbacks went down a goal only the second time this season in the 43rd minute.

“We started a bit slow,” Anglin said.

The shock only lasted two minutes. Only moments before the half time whistle Latham drew the Silverbacks level. Sarah Steinmann had the assist.

The Silverbacks carried the momentum of the equalizing goal into the second half. Just two minutes into the second stanza Latham struck again, off a Molly Franklin feed.

Twenty minutes later Latham tallied her third goal from the penalty spot.

Charlotte pulled to within two with 13 minutes to play, but it wasn't enough, giving the still unbeaten Silverbacks the Atlantic Division title outright.

Latham's hat trick bumps her total to 13 on the season, giving her second place in the league golden boot race, six goals behind teammate Sarah Steinmann.

The Silverbacks return to Silverbacks Park next Saturday afternoon for the regular season finale versus West Virginia. Kickoff is at 3:00.

The Silverbacks are tentative hosts for the regional playoffs scheduled to take place between July 25 and 27. The remaining three teams in the single elimination tournament are yet to be determined. Look for confirmation of dates, times, and teams in the days to come.