Majicjack Eliminated From WPS Playoffs

The Majicjack were shut down on the road and eliminated from the postseason Saturday afternoon by the Philadelphia Indepedence 2-0 in a second round match. Both squads had numerous opportunities combining for 18 shots in a scoreless first half. Philadelphia almost scored in the 34th minute when forward Tasha Kai lobbed an 18-yard shot from the right side barely over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Majicjack had a chance to the take the lead as forward Christen Press hit the left post on an eight-yard shot and was immediately followed by an Abby Wambach five-yard shot wide right. Philadelphia took charge at the beginning of the second half as the Majicjack were unable to clear the ball out of their penalty area. Kai placed a left foot 13-yard shot from the right side into the far side of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 46th minute. The Majicjack failed to tie the game in the next 35 minutes. Defender Christie Rampone hit a cross from the left side to the middle of the box in the 49th minute where Wambach chest-trapped, controled the ball with two defenders around her and blasted a 13-yard shot which was saved by Indepedence goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart. Wambach also had a seven-yard header saved during the 66th minute on a left side cross by defender Lydia Vandenbergh. Philadelphia extended the lead to 2-0 in the 81th minute as forward Amy Rodriguez put in a 20-yard shot behind goalkeeper Jillian Loyden after a lead pass by forward Danesha Adams. The Majicjack end their first season in Florida while Philadelphia visits Rochester next Saturday to take on the Western New York Flash for the WPS Championship.