WHITECAPS WOMEN WIN 4-1 IN FORT COLLINS

June 22, 2007 - Fort Collins Force - 1
Vancouver Whitecaps – 4

Fort Collins Soccer Complex, Fort Collins, CO

Another dominant performance by Whitecaps striker Tiffeny Milbrett proved the difference, as Vancouver opened a four-game road trip with a convincing 4-1 win over Fort Collins. Milbrett was in on all four Vancouver goals, setting up singles by Carly Peetz and Ella Masar before adding two insurance markers herself in the second half.

Coach Bob Birarda used virtually the same starting eleven that had defeated Fort Collins 4-0 on June 17, with the only change coming in central defence, where Erin Ramsay gave way to Emily Zurrer. Strong gusting winds at the start of the match threatened to make playing conditions difficult, but the wind soon died down, as the Whitecaps began to stamp their authority on the game.

Vancouver opened the scoring fourteen minutes in, as defender Peetz headed in Milbrett's corner kick at the near post. Thirteen minutes later, the Caps doubled their lead, as a good ball forward by Sophie Schmidt was flicked on by Milbrett to send Masar in on goal. The University of Illinois star fired in her first goal as a Whitecaps player, and Vancouver looked to be in full control of the match.

Appearances proved deceiving though, as just five minutes later, Fort Collins star forward Julie Williford pulled a goal back following a misplayed clearance by the Vancouver defence. The goal lifted the Force, who came more into the game, and by halftime the outcome of the match seemed anything but certain.

At the start of the second half play was even, with both teams creating chances, but not able to finish.

The turning point of the game came at minute 76, when a Fort Collins shot was cleared off the line superbly by Jodi-Ann Robinson to preserve the Vancouver lead. The Whitecaps then went straight up the field with a long punt from goalkeeper Cori Alexander which Milbrett picked up at the edge of area. Her first attempt on goal was blocked, but she then lashed the rebound into the net to make it 3-1, crushing the hopes of the home side.

Five minutes later, Milbrett finished off the scoring with a great solo effort, as she turned her defender on the edge of the Fort Collins box before drilling the ball into the bottom right corner with an unstoppable shot.

This was the third straight game in which the Force have surrendered four goals, as their promising start to the season has taken an unkind turn. The Force drop to 3-5-0 on the season, as the Whitecaps leapfrogged Fort Collins into third place in the W-League Western Conference. Vancouver's record is now 3-1-1 for ten points, leaving the Caps just three back of the Seattle Crossfire Sounders, and with three games in hand!

The Whitecaps now head to Denver for three straight games, as they play Real Colorado Cougars on Monday, June 25, and again on Saturday, June 30, sandwiching a match against Mile High Edge in nearby Golden on Wednesday, June 27. They then return home to play Mile High on July 8 at Chilliwack's Exhibition Field.

Scoring Summary:
14' Vancouver 1-0 Carly Peetz (Tiffeny Milbrett)
Milbrett's corner kick was headed in by defender Peetz at the near post for her first goal as a Whitecaps player.

27' Vancouver 2-0 Ella Masar (Tiffeny Milbrett)
A ball forward by Sophie Schmidt was flicked by Milbrett to send Masar in on goal, and she slotted it in for her first goal as a Whitecaps player.

32' Fort Collins 2-1 Julie Williford (Kassandra Spitler)
Spitler on the right crossed the ball in where the Vancouver defence misplayed the clearance, allowing Williford to fire home.

77' Vancouver 3-1 Tiffeny Milbrett (Cori Alexander)
A long punt from goalkeeper Alexander found Milbrett breaking, and after her first shot was blocked, she fired in the rebound.

82' Vancouver 4-1 Tiffeny Milbrett
Milbrett neatly turned past her defender at the top of the area before firing a hard low shot into the bottom right corner for her second goal of the game and team-leading fourth of the season.

Game Stats
Shots: Vancouver - 14 - Fort Collins - 6
Saves: Vancouver - 5 - Fort Collins - 9
Fouls: Vancouver - 8 - Fort Collins - 9
Offsides: Vancouver - 4 - Fort Collins - 1
Corners: Vancouver - 1 - Fort Collins – 3

Vancouver Whitecaps
00.Corinne Alexander; 13.Anna Caniglia, 7.Jill Oakes, 2.Emily Zurrer, 9.Carly Peetz (4.Carey Gustafson 75'); 22.Jodi-Ann Robinson (11.Selenia Iacchelli 77'), 16.Sophie Schmidt, 18.Clare Rustad, 24.Holly Gault (21.Paige Adams 45'); 15.Ella Masar (14.Kaylyn Kyle 65'), 25.Tiffeny Milbrett

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