Barbara Olivieri scores early, defense holds on as Legacy defeat Pride for first road win

The Boston Legacy scored early, defended fiercely for much of the second half, and earned the first road win in the club’s history on Wednesday.

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The Legacy held off the Orlando Pride, 1-0, to improve to 4-7-4 (16 points) and are unbeaten (2-0-1) in three matches since a month-long break for the start of the World Cup.

The win moved Boston to within 4 points of eighth-place Orlando for the eighth and final playoff position.

Barbara Olivieri gave Boston the lead in the 17th minute with her first goal of the season. Ella Stevens took a pass from Alba Caño at the top of the box. Stevens settled the pass and elected to make a touch to her left for a charging Olivieri, who stuck a shot just inside the right post with her left foot.

Orlando had a goal pulled off the board in the 41st minute. Jacquie Ovalle appeared to score directly off a corner, only to have referee Cristian Campo whistle Ally Lemos for fouling Legacy goalkeeper Casey Murphy.

Boston had its own reasons for feeling aggrieved during stoppage time when Jorelyn Carabalí was pulled down in the box by Ovalle during a corner kick. Campo reviewed on video, only to deem it not a penalty.

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The Pride had the vast majority of possession in the second half, but could not find a way past Murphy, who finished with two saves.

Orlando’s Solai Washington had a bid in the 64th minute go wide of the left post after she won the ball away from Emerson Elgin leading to a counterattack.

The Legacy will face American star Trinity Rodman and Washington on Sunday night at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. The team announced Tuesday the lower bowl of the 10,500-seat stadium had sold out.

The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain will be shown prior to the match.

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