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Despite the final score of 5-1 in favor of Seattle, the Portland Rain women were all smiles as they walked off the pitch at Interbay Stadium Saturday. "We played very well for our first time together," said Rain defender Jessica Miller. "We had 3 starters meet us up here from college on their way home for the summer, giving us 12 field players and one sub. We also started a couple players out of their normal position. I am very happy with our team right now." Seattle started the game off strong, getting the first few chances on goal and controlling the field for the first 15 minutes while Portland adjusted. In the 5th minute of play Rain goalkeeper, Lakeridge High School junior phenom Gillian Dodds, saved 2 point blank attempts after a corner kick scrum. Seattle found the back of the net for the first time in the 12th minute on a strong header by defender and "Woman of the Match" Keely Hartsough off a corner kick. Hartsough again scored in the 20th minute off a restart from way out on about the 25. Her free kick sailed and ducked under the crossbar in the upper right corner, just over the fingertips of Dodds to give the Saints a 2-0 edge. Portland began to feel their way back into the game at that point, evening up the time of possession. Portland's first goal of the 2002 season came in the 39th minute. A hard low shot from Rain forward Tami Perkins was barely touched into the near post by a diving Saint keeper Anna Bacho. It then rebounded back to Perkins who again struck a hard shot, this time being redirected into the goal by Rain midfielder Stacy Merlitti to make the score 2-1. Both teams threatened again before the half. In the 44th minute, Portland's central midfielder Christy Spear struck a ball from the 25 that was barely touched into the crossbar by the Saints keeper. The rebound was cleared and the whistle blew for the half. Rain keeper Gillian Dodds had 6 spectacular saves in the first half, proving that she is going to be a premier keeper in the PCSL. The first 30 minutes of the second half showed Portland dominating time of possession but failing to create many good scoring chances. Seattle got another set play goal from defender Keely Hartsough in the 67th minute, who put in another header off a corner kick to complete the hat trick. Portland started to show the consequences of a lack of substitutions on the bench in about the 75th minute when Seattle began to beat them around the corners and outrun them to loose balls. Seattle's Trisha Tateyama and Gina Brewer were both able to add to the lead in the 75th and 77nd minute, taking advantage of Portland's rapidly dwindling ability to recover and make long defensive runs. The Seattle Hibernian Saints were already in top form on their home turf, proving that they will continue to be the team to beat in the PCSL in 2002. Seattle won the league championship last season with a record of 12-0-2 and look to continue their dominating ways this year. Seattle did, however, take a 4-0 loss to the Portland Rain in a friendly at PGE Park last year. "A little friendly home field revenge for last year" a Saint player playfully joked after the match. Portland Rain's next match is Sunday, May 19 at 12pm against the Victoria Stars at PGE Park. There are currently no plans to sell tickets so admission is free. |