The New York Power defeated the Carolina Courage in a preseason match 2-0, played at the Courage’s home stadium, Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill, N.C., on April 7. The visiting Power scored a goal in each half to bring down the home team. In the 22nd minute, Tammy Pearman split two converging Courage defenders and went one-on-one with goalkeeper Bente Nordby. Her shot cleared the Norwegian’s outstretched fingers and dipped just below the crossbar for the first goal of the game. The Courage stepped up its pressure, but failed to break down a resilient New York defense. The Power withstood a barrage of pressure from the Courage, including a goalmouth scramble that nearly resulted in an equalizer. The Power put the icing on the cake with one minute remaining in regulation. Kerry Connors slipped beyond the Courage defense and slotted home the insurance goal. April 7 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Carolina 0 New York 2. Goals: Power: Pearman (22), Connors (89). Carolina û- Nordby, Wen Lirong, Overbeck, Burt, T. Roberts, N. Roberts, Baxter (Stone, 77), Yankowski (Burtini, 38), Riise, Fotopoulos (Keller, 77), Florance. New York û- Gao Hong (Strazzulla, 62), Pearce, Fettig, Espeseth, Fair, Stauffer (McDonald, 46), Nielsen (Janss, 59), Whelchel (Tracy, 72), Whalen, Milbrett, Pearman (Connors, 69). Shots: Courage — 15; Power — 11. Saves: Courage — 2; Power — 6. Fouls: Courage — 8; Power — 8. Cautions: Courage — Burtini (76); Power — None. Att.: 4,726.

Breakers edge Huskies

The Boston Breakers defeated the University of Connecticut, 2-0, in Storrs, Conn. The Breakers improve to 7-2-1, after returning from a month on the road in North Carolina and Chula Vista, Calif. The Breakers scored seven minutes into the match as Kristine Lilly pounced on a loose ball just outside the box. Lilly struck the ball with her left foot and the UConn keeper misplayed the shot as the Breakers went up, 1-0. Boston controlled the half from the start as Norwegian Dagny Mellgren missed wide off the opening kickoff. The Breakers outshot UConn, 6-1 in the half. In the second half, Angela Hucles took a feed from German Maren Meinert and, from just outside the UConn penalty area, struck a ball that deflected off a UConn defender for the 2-0 lead. UConn scored late in the match. April 7 in Storrs, Conn. Connecticut 1 Boston 2. Goals: Lilly (7), Hucles (n/a); n/a (n/a). Shots: UConn — 8; Boston 15. Saves: UConn — 10; Boston — 5. Corners: UConn — 2; Boston — 3.

Freedom trounces Terps

April 6 in College Park, Md. Maryland 0 Washington 5. Goals: Pretinha (27), Hamm (27), Roseli (n/a), Baumgardt (n/a), Milburn (n/a). Att.: 2,415.

Spirit drops Nebraska

The San Diego Spirit defeated the University of Nebraska, 5-1, in an 80-minute exhibition match at UC San Diego’s Rimac Field on April 6. The Spirit returned to match action with a vengeance as Traci Arkenberg (4th minute), Jenny Mascaro (23), Julie Foudy (26), Shannon MacMillan (54) and Tara Koleski (57) scored five consecutive goals. Nebraska’s Paige Phillips ended Ulrika Karlsson’s shutout bid with a tally in the 70th minute.