Independence settle for 0-0 tie with Atlanta Beat

Looking to claim a win for the first time since May 15, the Independence played well enough but had to settle for a 0-0 tie Saturday night in a Women's Professional Soccer game against the Atlanta Beat at Widener University's Quick Stadium.

When the Independence (2-2-3) visited the Beat (1-6-2) on May 15, they took a 2-1 victory.

"Very disappointing," said Independence coach Paul Riley. "We didn't play very well in the final third of the game, and unfortunately, if you're not very good in the final third, you're not going to win big games. This was a huge game for us because we played a team at the bottom of the table. Anyone watching the game would say we were the better team, but they got the same amount of points out of the game."

In the Independence's previous two outings, they tied the host Boston Breakers, 1-1, on May 22, and they went down at home on May 29 to the Western New York Flash, 2-1.

Against Atlanta, the Independence dominated possession time during game, and had multiple chances to score before intermission.

Forward Lianne Sanderson had an opportunity in-close about 25 minutes in but her shot attempt hit the top of the goal and rolled down the back of the net. A few minutes later, midfielder Christina DiMartino charged the goal and fired, but her shot was caught by Beat goalie Allison Whitworth.

On the last play of the half, Whitworth also stopped a penalty kick by Independence forward Tasha Kai to keep the contest scoreless.

"We had chances to win the game, that's for sure," Riley said. "Tonight, we had five or six good chances and we didn't finish any of them. We missed the penalty just before halftime, and that was a critical moment. Had we gone up 1-0, they would have had to change their ways and attack a little more."

When the game reached the 76th minute, Independence forward Danesha Adams was looking at an open net from about 18 yards from the right side of the field, but her shot rocketed past the goal mouth and onto the other side.

Notes. The Independence were without Megan Rapinoe, Amy Rodriguez, Nicole Barnett and Lori Lindsey, who are on the U.S. Women's World Cup squad. That team was preparing for Sunday's send-off match against Mexico at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. WPS players will not return to their respective teams until late July after the World Cup. Atlanta was without Carli Lloyd and Heather Mitts. . . . The Independence added to their roster Veronica Boquete, a January free-agent signee from Spain who has completed her obligations to her Spanish team.