Amesbury, MA (7/18/09) –The Boston Aztec women of the Women’s Premier Soccer League fell to the Lancaster Inferno in the first playoff match in the Aztec’s four-year history, a heartbreaking 3-1 loss to the team from Pennsylvania. 

The Aztecs came out strong in the first half, controlling the play in the Inferno half of the field. Holding the pressure, the Aztecs managed 12 shots in the first half to the Inferno’s two.  The most notable chance came about when Cortney Sobrero ripped a hard shot from outside the box directly on net.  Although it had potential to be the first goal of the game, Inferno keeper Joy Shaiebly made an acrobatic save, dropping back and tipping the ball over the cross bar. The Aztecs maintained pressure to the halftime whistle, but the score remained 0-0.

In the 49th minute o fthe game, Inferno forward Erin Hench received a through ball from her teammate and went in on net alone.  She beat goalkeeper Ashley Phillips, placing a shot into the bottom right corner of the net scoring the first goal of the game.

In the 71st minute of play, Kirstin Macdonald had a breakaway for the Aztecs and managed to get off a solid shot that was labeled for the side netting, but Shaiebly made a game changing save with an extension dive to her left, pushing the ball wide. On an immediate counterattack, Inferno forward Emily Peters got a breakaway and dribbled down the left side of the field, placing the ball in the far side netting of the Aztec goal and scoring the second goal of the night for Lancaster. 

“Inferno’s keeper was extremely athletic and focused tonight. She took away at least 3 certain goals," said Aztec player/coach Rebekah Splaine.

The Aztecs did not hang their heads, but immediately came back as player/coach Meotis Erikson received a ball with her back to the goal at the top of the 18 yard box, spun and fired a perfect shot into the upper side netting. 

The Aztec maintained pressure for the final 20 minutes of the game.  As the action intensified, a series of corner kicks, freekicks, shots and rebounds excited the 200+ fans in attendance as the Aztecs pushed forward.  In one series all 11 Inferno players were inside 10 yards defending the goal and successfully blocked and cleared 3 straight shots.

In the final minute of extra time Inferno midfielder Katie Lamm beat the Aztec goalkeeper, who had pushed up high to help in the desperate attack, in a footrace to the ball at midfield and sent a shot that found its way into the Aztec’s empty net.

“It’s always disappointing to end the season with a loss.” said Aztec player/coach Meotis Erikson, “I’m extremely proud of our team and the character that every player showed tonight.  We wish Lancaster the best of luck in the remainder of the playoffs”

The Aztec’s season ends with a record of9-1-1 and tied for first place in WPSL East Division, the most successful inthe team’s history.