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Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Record 1-0 Shutout against Western New York Flash

April 18, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Midfielder Allie Long registered the game-winning goal and goalkeeper Nadine Angerer registered a clean sheet as Portland Thorns FC earned a 1-0 victory against the Western New York Flash in front of 13,148 fans on Saturday evening at Providence Park.

With the win, Portland (2-0-0, 6pts) extended its home unbeaten streak to seven matches (6-0-1), dating back to the 2014 season. Thorns FC have recorded back-to-back home wins to open the 2015 NWSL, marking the first time in team history Portland has logged consecutive wins to start the season. Thorns FC have earned three clean sheets in their last four matches at Providence Park, including consecutive shutouts to close out the 2014 regular season against the Houston Dash (1-0) on Aug. 3, 2014 and Seattle Reign FC (1-0) on Aug. 17, 2014.

Thorns FC opened the scoring in the 22nd minute as Long tallied her third goal in the last two matches. Midfielder Sinead Farrelly floated a cross into the box for Long, who settled in between two Western New York defenders with her back to the goal and flicked the ball into the back of the net. The assist was Farrelly's first of her Thorns FC and NWSL career, while both Farrelly and Long registered a point for a second consecutive match.

Making her first start of the 2015 season, Angerer earned her third consecutive shutout at home in the regular season for Portland. Angerer made two saves in the match, including a key stop in the 51st minute as she came off her line to knock away a point-blank attempt from Western New York rookie midfielder Sam Mewis in a crowded goal box.

Canada Women's National Team forward Christine Sinclair, midfielder Kaylyn Kyle and defender Rhian Wilkinson all made their first appearances for Thorns FC this season, entering the match as second-half substitutes. Wilkinson entered the match to begin the second half and made a key defensive play, clearing a chipped shot inside the box by Mewis out of the goal box near the post. Additionally, Thorns FC and England Women's National Team forward Jodie Taylor earned her first start for Portland.

Thorns FC travel to Lisle, Ill., for their first road match of the 2015 regular season against the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, April 25, at Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Comple x; kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. (Pacific). The match will be broadcast live via webstream at www.portlandthornsfc.com .

Notes:

- Thorns FC midfielder Allie Long made her 46th career appearance for Portland on Saturday, moving into a tie for first place on the all-time career appearance list with defender Nikki Marshall.

- Defender Emily Menges made her 10th consecutive start, dating back to the 2014 season.

- Forward Jodie Taylor earned her first career start for Thorns FC in the match.

- Defender Kat Williamson wore the captain's armband for a second consecutive match.

- Long tallied her 15th career goal, moving into a tie for first-place on the all-time Thorns FC scoring list with forward Alex Morgan.

- Midfielder Sinead Farrelly tallied a point for a second straight match, recording her first career Thorns FC and NWSL assist.

- For a second consecutive season, Long has scored a goal in the first two matches of the regular season.

- Defender Rhian Wilkinson and midfielder Kaylyn Kyle made their Thorns FC debuts, entering the match in the second half.

- Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer and forward Christine Sinclair made their first appearances of the 2015 campaign on Saturday.

- Angerer recorded her fifth clean sheet for Thorns FC and has registered a clean sheet in each of her last three regular-season appearances for the club, dating back to the 2014 season

- Portland is unbeaten in the month of April (6-0-2) all-time.

- Thorns FC held their opponent to single-digit shot attempts for a second-straight match.

- Saturday marks the first time that Portland has opened the regular season with back-to-back wins in the team's NWSL history.

- Thorns FC have outscored their opponents 22-6 during their seven-match home unbeaten streak.

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