Flash Shutout Chicago, Move into Second Place
July 1, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ROCHESTER, NY --- The Western New York Flash (7-4-0) continued their hot streak on Friday night, shutting down the Chicago Red Stars (5-3-3) in an impressive 2-0 victory at Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, NY. After an hour delay due to rain, the Flash were led by Lianne Sanderson and Lynn Williams each with a tally for the home side. For Sanderson, it was her first goal for the Flash since being acquired last week in a trade with Orlando. Williams's goal was her league-leading sixth of the season, breaking a tie between her and teammate Jessica McDonald. McDonald finished the night with a pair of helpers, setting up both goals of the night.
The Red Stars had the first quality scoring chance of the match but came up empty after Vanessa DiBernardo's shot rang off the crossbar in the fifth minute. DiBernardo's opportunity would be the closest Chicago would come as the Flash dominated the night's action.
The Flash responded with opportunities of their own, the first coming when McCall Zerboni's cross to the head of Williams didn't quite find the net. Williams soon followed with open shot from 15 yards, but it was deflected wide by Chicago goalkeeper Michele Dalton.
The Flash continued to apply pressure throughout the half and were rewarded for their efforts as they opened the scoring in the 37th minute. The goal came after a Williams cross from the right side was headed off the post by McDonald. The ball deflected off the post to newcomer Sanderson, who finished off the play with her first goal for the Flash. Friday night was also Sanderson's first action in a Western New York uniform since she was acquired in a trade with Orlando on June 21st.
The Flash continued to carry the momentum but Dalton kept the visitors from being out of the game after 45 minutes of play with a pair of late saves. The Chicago 'keeper first stopped Meredith Speck's bender from twenty yards before scooping up McDonald's blast from 16 yards half a minute later.
The second frame began with the home side looking to continue the momentum generated during the first half of play. Two minutes in, Williams fired a shot from just outside the box that just missed high. Just minutes later, a nice run by Liz Eddy forced a corner that resulted in a dangerous opportunity for the Flash. The play came after Zerboni chipped Abby Dahlkemper's corner kick in front of the net to McDonald, whose header went just over the bar.
The Flash did not let up as the 55th minute saw Sanderson, from 35 yards out, send a long ball into the box. Racing on to the ball, McDonald's diving header was stopped by a sprawling Dalton to keep it a one-goal match.
Once again, the Flash led a furious sequence that saw a shot by McDonald cleared off the line by Red Star defender Casey Short before the ensuing rebound hit the post, keeping the score at 1-0 in favor of the home side. Keeping Chicago on their heels in their own defensive half finally paid off for the the Flash as they added to their lead when McDonald sent a cross from the right side that was tapped by Williams past Dalton for a 2-0 advantage.
After a brief flurry by Chicago that saw Flash netminder Katelyn Rowland snatch an Arin Gilliland shot out of the air, Western New York countered and nearly took a three-goal lead after McDonald's shot beat Dalton but was stopped by the left post.
With the win, the Flash move past Chicago into sole possession of second place in the NWSL table. The Flash, winners of five of their last six matches, will resume play next Saturday, July 9 when they take on Seattle Reign FC in a match at Frontier Field in Rochester, NY. Tickets are available for the match at wnyflash.com/tickets, and a live stream of the match will be available at youtube.com/NWSL.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 1, 2016
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