Garden State Shutout
Apr 05 | Women's Soccer
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Rutgers assistant coach Karina LeBlanc earned another shutout victory in net Sunday as the Los Angeles Sol defeated Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) 2-0 at TD Bank Ballpark. The victory moved the Sol to 2-0 on the 2009 season, the inaugural one for Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). The win was also the first road triumph in franchise history.
LeBlanc (three saves) recorded two highlight-reel saves, one in each half, to preserve the shutout. In the 31st minute, she made a terrific lunging save of a header by Sky Blue midfielder Jen Buczkowski off a corner kick. Later, in the 85th minute, she turned away Sky Blue forward Sarah Walsh’s point-blank shot attempt off another corner kick opportunity.
“It was so great to return to New Jersey and get this win,” said LeBlanc. “To be able to play in front of all the girls (from the Rutgers team) and in front of so many people I know and get the win and the shutout is amazing. It was just a very emotional and fun day.”
In other WPS action, former Rutgers midfielder and current U.S. National Team member Carli Lloyd made her league debut, helping the Chicago Red Stars to a 1-0 victory over Saint Louis Athletica in the team’s inaugural match, played in front of 5,008 fans at Ralph Korte Stadium in Edwardsville, Ill.
LeBlanc and her Sol teammates will return to action on Sunday, April 19 when they host FC Gold Pride (Bay Area). The match will be played at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. Pacific time. Lloyd and the Red Stars will next travel to Washington, D.C. to take on the Washington (D.C.) Freedom on Saturday, April 11. The match will be televised live on the Fox Soccer Channel (FSC), with kickoff set for 6 p.m Eastern time.
