Late Equalizer Helps Flash Pick up Point in Boston
September 7, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
*ALLSTON, MA --- *The Western New York Flash (8-5-5) entered Wednesday night trying to re-take third place in the NWSL standings from the Chicago Red Stars and wanted to break a streak of 3 consecutive draws, which would mark their first win since July 9. To do so, they would have to defeat the last-place Boston Breakers (3-13-2), who the Flash had beaten twice earlier in the season by a combined score of 11-1. In the end, the Flash played the Breakers to a 2-2 draw at Jordan Field in game where Boston led twice in the goal column and the Flash led in shots 21-8.
It didn't take long for Boston to take the early lead at home, as *Kyah* *Simon* was able to turn around on the pass from *Julie King* and fire a shot that beat Flash goalkeeper *Sabrina D'Angelo *in the 4'. It was Simon's first goal in her fifteen appearances for the Breakers.
Western New York got their first quality scoring chance in the 6', as *Samantha Mewis *was able to find open space with the ball and get a shot off, but the shot sailed high over the crossbar. Shortly after, in the 9', a yellow card was issued to Breakers' forward *Natasha Dowie*. The Flash were able to create another quality scoring chance in the 31' when Mewis fed a ball up to *Lynn Williams* in front the net, but her shot did not have enough on it and Boston goalkeeper *Libby Stout* was able to make the save.
The Flash were able to equalize the game at 1 thanks to a *Jessica McDonald* in the 38'. After receiving a lead pass from Mewis behind the Boston defenders, McDonald was able to get a shot off that Stout made an initial save on, but McDonald got to the rebound behind Stout and buried the her next shot into the back of the net. The goal was the 8th of the season for McDonald, and marked Mewis's third assist of the season. After 45 minutes, the Flash held the shot advantage over the Breakers 8-4, and led in shots-on-goal 3-2.
In similar fashion to the first half, the Breakers were able to tally an early goal to regain the lead, as Dowie found herself in front of the net in the 51'. Through traffic, Dowie put a shot on goal just out of the reach D'Angelo, giving Dowie her third goal on the season. D'Angelo was tested again in the 53', but came up with the save to keep the Flash's deficit at 1. In the next minute, the Flash were able to get two more scoring chances of their own, but were unable to capitalize.
The Flash continued to create chances, as *Makenzy Doniak* headed the ball on a *Jaelene Hinkle* free-kick in the 64', but the ball went wide of the net. Doniak followed that opportunity up with another quality chance through traffic that went to the left of the net in the 70'. Mewis also created a chance and took a shot from the edge of the box in the 71', but it was deflected over the back line and out of play.
The Flash, looking to avoid a loss to the last-place Breakers, finally got the break they needed in the 76' minute. Williams got the ball in the box and fired a shot through that beat Stout, giving the newfound "comeback kids" their equalizer late in the game. The goal also marked Williams' ninth goal on the season, keeping her as the sole team leader in goals, one ahead of McDonald. Doniak was given the assist on the goal, pushing her season total to three.
As the game drew into the final minutes, the Flash amped up the pressure, getting a flurry of chances to take the lead as the clock ticked into the 90'. This included Williams having a header at the post denied by Stout after a great pass from Doniak, and another phenomenal save by Stout on a curving shot by Doniak. In the 3 minutes of stoppage time, the Flash again applied pressure but could not break through for the game-winning goal.
The 2-2 draw with Boston means the Flash have now played to a draw in 5 of their last 6 games, with 9 goals in that span. The Flash did not play to a draw once through their first 12 matches of the season.
The Flash's playoff hopes stay alive and well after Wednesday night's NWSL action, as the draw with Boston was able to eliminate three teams - Sky Blue FC, Kansas City, and Houston. The Flash are currently sitting in a tie for third place with the Chicago Red Stars, who lost to FC Kansas City at home earlier tonight. Seattle is the only team left capable of moving into a playoff spot, and they would need either the Flash or the Chicago Red Stars to drop their next two games while winning their own two remaining matches.
The Flash will be back in action this Saturday, September 11, when they travel to Portland to face the second-place Thorns. The game will be nationally televised on Fox Sports 1 and will kick off at 9:30 ET. Following that game, the Flash travel back to Boston to close out the regular season against the Breakers again on September 24.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 7, 2016
- RECAP: Sky Blue FC Earns Home Draw with Orlando Pride - Sky Blue FC
- Late Equalizer Helps Flash Pick up Point in Boston - Western New York Flash
- FC Kansas City Starts Home-And-Home Series - FC Kansas City
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