Sol-Athletica Post-Game

Photos by Steve McCrankSecond in WPS beat first today as the Sol succumbed to St. Louis Athletica 1-0 at Home Depot Center in a rare noon midweek start.

Still, the Sol remain in first in WPS place with an 11-2-4 record good for 37 points; the Athletica are second with 23 points and a 7-5-2 record.

Sol Coach Abner Rogers:

"We sneaked a win in St. Louis, when I felt they were better and it was reversed today. I felt that we were, definitely in the second half, the better team than them, created a lot of opportunities and several looks at goals and it just came down to (a lack of) finishing, something we've actually been good at."

Torrance's Shannon Boxx on her attacks late in the game:

"He was like 'stay up front.' I was like 'OK I have no idea what I'm doing, but OK.'"

BTW, I bumped into the parents of recent Sol signing Lyndsey Patterson, who was making her professional debut. Her mom filmed the occasion and was justifiably proud. Said Patterson:

"I had no clue what the game would hold for me today. I bet my dad had tears in his eyes. I was nervous, but excited. ... It's been my dream since I was nine. ... I can't believe it. I just ran as hard as I could."

I wrote a feature story for the Daily Breeze about the unusual kickoff time and its unique audience. Read it here.

Aya Miyama:

Updated Noon Thursday:

Canadian international defender Sharolta Nonen is apparently the replacement for Christie Shaner, whose leg was broken on her Sol debut last week.

W-League team FC Indiana saluted Nonen Thursday when she played her final game for the club in a 4-0 win over Kalamazoo berore heading to Southern California, club officials said. No confirmation from the Sol yet.