Independence again whips a depleted magicJack squad

For the second time in a week, the Independence knocked off magicJack as they rolled to a 3-1 victory Saturday in a Women's Professional Soccer game at Widener's Leslie Quick Stadium in Chester.

The hosts controlled the flow for the majority of the game, peppering the magicJack defense throughout the first half before breaking through for two goals.

Defender Kia McNeill put the Independence on the board in the 31st minute as she guided in a low cross from the right side by forward Danesha Adams. The reaction to the goal was delayed briefly as magicJack goalie Shannon Myers appeared to stop the shot with a diving save.

Myers was starting in place of Hope Solo and Jill Loyden. They were with the U.S. national team, preparing for the Women's World Cup that begins Sunday. The magicJack are missing a league-high seven players.

The Independence are without goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart of Gilbertsville, midfielder Lori Lindsey, and forward Amy Rodriguez, who are on the national squad.

With the win, the Independence improved to 5-2-3 to remain in second place. The magicJack are third at 5-4-0. The Independence have picked up a point in six of their last seven games, including a 6-0 rout of the visiting magicJack on June 18.

To ensure that there would be no letdown against the magicJack, the Independence scrimmaged a local men's club team. Midfielder Tina DiMartino said it helped with their quickness and strength, since the men's game is much faster.

"We train hard every week," DiMartino said. "We mixed it up and got a little faster."

Forward Veronica Boquete drilled home a shot from just inside the 18-yard line as she went one-on-one with Myers.

In the second half, DiMartino took a pass from Jen Buczkowski and eluded a defender near the right of the box to find fellow midfielder Joanna Lohman on the right flank. Lohman drove a sharp ball across the box, and forward Tasha Kai headed it in. Kai promptly went to the left corner and celebrated with a short dance.

DiMartino said she was able to turn and slip in the pass as Lohman "made a great play."

In the 56th minute, magicJack forward Christine Press scored from 6 yards out past keeper Val Henderson.

Based in South Florida, the magicJack are owned and coached by Dan Borislow, a Widener graduate and Philadelphia native.

magicJack 0 1 - 1

Independence 2 1 - 3

Goals: M-Christine Press; I-Kia McNeill, Veronica Boquete, Tasha Kai.

Saves: M-Shannon Myers 10; I-Val Henderson, 2;.