Silverbacks Women Stay Perfect with 4-0 Win

The Atlanta Silverbacks Women topped the VSI Tampa Flames 4-0 Friday night at Atlanta Silverbacks Park to remain undefeated to start the 2012 W-League season.

The Silverbacks Women (2-0-0) were the stronger team throughout the game, but the visiting Flames (0-1-2) were tough on the home team in the opening minutes. The Silverbacks continued to control the possession midway through the first half, and in the 21st minute they grabbed the lead. Flames goalkeeper Jen Manis spilled a rebound following a corner kick and Silverbacks defender Bailey Powell was there to pounce on it, poking it into the net for a 1-0 lead.

The first half remained relatively quiet with each team creating a few close scoring opportunities. Flames defender Marky Boyce came close to converting a header in the 31st minute while Silverbacks midfielder Stacey Balaam fired just over the bar following an impressive dribbling sequence in the 37th minute.

The Silverbacks came out firing after halftime, and it took only three minutes for them to find the net. Forward Kristen Burton knocked home a shot from five yards out following a well-played cross from the wing, doubling the Silverbacks' lead at 2-0.

It was forward Elizabeth Guess' turn 11 minutes later when she met a perfectly-weighted through ball from Balaam and dribbled around Manis to slide home easily and make the score 3-0.

Substitute forward Nkese Udoh then converted her first goal of the season after fellow forward Chloe Roberts was hauled down in the penalty area by a Flames defender. Udoh calmly converted the ensuing penalty kick to give the Silverbacks a 4-0 lead.

With the win, the defending-champion Silverbacks stay undefeated to open up the 2012 season. They will host FC Jax Destroyers next Friday, June 1 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, and will welcome Central SC Cobras the following day.