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Wildcats Win Game, Lose Smith
LUDLOW, MASS - The New Jersey Wildcats extended their season-opening win streak to nine games tonight, but the game felt more like a loss for the team. New Jersey topped the Western Mass Lady Pioneers 2-0 at Lusitano Stadium, but in the process may have lost team captain and leading scorer Kelly Smith for the season.
Kim Francis and Marinette Pichon scored the goals for the Wildcats, who have not allowed a goal this season in four road games. Amanda Brown posted four saves to record the shutout for New Jersey.
Smith was injured early in the game and left with a likely broken leg. She was taken to a local hospital for x-rays later in the first half. The England international suffered the injury 10 minutes into the game on a reckless tackle by Western Mass defender Cindi Walsh. Smith checked back toward her own goal to receive the ball on her own side of the midfield line and after her first touch, Walsh, who was irritated after getting the worst of a collision with Wildcats defender Janine Willis minutes earlier, flew in low from behind through the back of Smith's leg. At the time of the tackle the ball was five yards away and on the opposite side of Smith's body from Walsh. Inexplicably, referee Guido Gonzalez only issued a yellow card to Walsh for the tackle.
The Wildcats got on the board quickly on a goal by Francis just 4:23 into the game. Maura Gallagher carried the ball up the left side before sending a cross into the box that was poked loose by a defender. Francis stepped up to the loose ball and fired in a low, first-time shot from 12 yards out.
Pichon created two more great chances for New Jersey but was foiled by Lady Pioneers keeper Megan Jessee both times. With two minutes left in the first half, Jessee stuffed Pichon from close range on a break into the box. In the 72nd minute, Jessee repeated the feat diving to her right to stop Pichon. Jessee also added a save on Gallagher at the near post five minutes later to keep her team in the game.
The Wildcats put the game away in the 87th minute on Pichon's ninth goal of the season. Anne Makinen drove a low, hard pass into the box to Pichon's feet and the French star whirled to her left before depositing a low, right-footed shot inside the left post past a diving Jessee.
The Wildcats return to action this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. when they host the Washington Freedom in an exhibition match at Mercer County Community College. New Jersey also hosts the Long Island Lady Riders at Memorial Stadium in New Brunswick on Saturday, July 10th at 7:30 p.m.
LINEUPS:
NEW JERSEY WILDCATS: Amanda Brown, Janine Willis, Beth McNamara, Rochelle Willis, Anne Makinen, Manya Makoski, Kim Francis, Jen Redmond (Bonnie Young 75), Maura Gallagher, Kelly Smith (Kelly Rowland 16), Marinette Pichon.
WESTERN MASS LADY PIONEERS: Megan Jessee, Jen Prozzo, Chrissy Rich, Patty Woodson (Nicole Cheadle 63), Cindi Walsh, Lara Batey, Katharina Lindner, Lauren Molinaro, Jenny Sullivan (Kristi Lefebvre 67), Margaret Tietjen, Stephanie Keating (Angela Goncalves 30, Lauren Pereira 76).
GOALS:
NJW – Francis 5th minute
NJW – Pichon (Makinen) 87th minute
SAVES:
NJW – Brown 4
WMLP – Jessee 5
SHOTS:
NJW – 17, WMLP – 6 | 
