Tasha Kai and Amy Rodriguez give the Independence a 2-0 win over the Breakers

Photo courtsey of Brad Smith- isiphotos.com

This past Sunday, May 8th, the Philadelphia Independence used their home field advantage to capitalize on their home opener as they walked away with a 2-0 victory over the Boston Breakers.  PUMA athletes Tasha Kai and Amy Rodriguez were the stars of the show and each netted a goal to give the Independence their first win of the season.

The Independence came out strong in the first half and controlled possession.  The first threat came in the 17^th minute when Kai fired a shot that was saved by Boston’s Alyssa Naeher.

The Independence kept pushing and got on the board in the 41st minute off a goal from Kai, her first of the season. Her initial shot bounced off the right post, but she showed great resilience and was able to finish with a diving header into the back of the net. That goal gave Philadelphia the momentum going into halftime.

"I knew my first goal was going to be key," said Kai. "It was a relief on me knowing that I got my first one down and many more are going to come."

Philadelphia came out firing again in the second half and kept up the pressure on Boston's defense. The Independence capitalized again in the 54th minute when an Amy Rodriguez shot bounced off the outstretched arms of Naeher. Lianne Sanderson was there for the follow-up and somehow got the ball into the back of the net from an impossible angle.

The next round of WPS matches will take place this Friday, May 13^th when Marta and the Western New York Flash will take on Alex Scott, Leslie Osborne and the Boston Breakers.