10-Woman Flash Edged 1-0 in Orlando
May 14, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Western New York Flash (2-3-0) put the Orlando Pride (3-2-0) on their heels early into their match Saturday night, but Pride captain Alex Morgan managed to chip Flash goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo on one of the Pride's few opportunities late in the second half.
The first half of the match was mostly played in Orlando's defensive half, with Western New York continuing their high-pressure style to force errors and find chances, such as Jessica McDonald's shot that sent Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris diving. Lynn Williams added another quality chance that banged off the crossbar in the 37th minute as well as Sam Mewis' header not even a minute later off a Makenzy Doniak cross.
The Pride saw more offensive play in the second half with Jasmyne Spencer showing off her speed on a play in the 55th minute that was cleared by Flash captain Abby Erceg and Lianne Sanderson finding Morgan over the top on a close shot that D'Angelo tipped wide in the 58th minute. But the Flash kept piling on the shots. One of the Flash's chances came in the 68th minute, when rookie forward Taylor Smith blew by the Pride defense to take on Harris one-on-one, but put it right to Harris who deflected it out for a corner.
The deadlock wasn't broken until the 79th minute when Morgan caught D'Angelo off her line and chipped the ball over D'Angelo's head and into the net. The resilient Flash team continued on the offensive, but they were reduced to 10 women on the pitch when Erceg was shown her second yellow of the night in the 89th minute when she went up with Lianne Sanderson for a ball in the air that left Sanderson rolling on the ground, which resulted in her being sent off.
The WNY Flash return to Rochester on Saturday, May 21, against U.S. Women's National Team members Christine Rampone and Kelley O'Hara and Sky Blue FC. Kickoff is set at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets for the match are available at wnyflash.com/tickets.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 14, 2016
- Alex Morgan Goal Lifts Pride to Second-Straight Shutout Win - Orlando Pride
- 10-Woman Flash Edged 1-0 in Orlando - Western New York Flash
- Spirit Remains Undefeated with 1-0 Win over Houston Dash - Washington Spirit
- Washington Spirit Downs Houston 1-0, Extends NWSL Lead - Washington Spirit
- Dash Visit Undefeated Washington Spirit - Houston Dash
- World-Class Naeher Helps Red Stars Earn Point in Kansas City - Chicago Stars FC
- Blues Bid Farewell to Buczkowski with Draw - FC Kansas City
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