Flash Begin Two-Game Road Trip Thursday in New Jersey

July 30, 2014 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release


ELMA, NY. (Wednesday, July 30, 2014) - With just four games remaining in the 2014 regular season, the Flash heads out on a two-game road trip, first facing Sky Blue FC on Thursday night. Three important points will be on the line at Yurcak Field, as the Flash continues to make its push toward the postseason. This is the first and only time this season the Flash will face Sky Blue on the road; the two teams met on Mother's Day in Rochester and will again meet in the Flash's home finale on August 13. The latter game will be aired live on ESPN2.

Thursday's match will be live-streamed on the NWSL's official YouTube channel and can be watched by clicking the link here . Fans can also follow live play-by-play at the Flash's official Twitter page, @WNYFlash, and can join the conversation by using the hashtag #SBFCvWNYF.

The Flash will have a bolstered lineup on Thursday, as U.S. National Team forward Abby Wambach will be available for selection. Wambach, who is the world's all-time international goal leader, has been sidelined since May 31 after sustaining a sprained lateral collateral ligament (LCL) against the Houston Dash.

Between national team call-ups and injuries, the Rochester native has only appeared in six matches for Western New York this year but has totaled four goals and one assist in her 475 minutes.

Western New York (7-10-3, 24 points) is coming off a 4-2 loss at the hands of the Boston Breakers. It was the first time this season the Flash were defeated by more than one goal. The Flash scored the first goal of the game for the eighth time this season when Jasmyne Spencer headed home a cross from Carli Lloyd. It was Spencer's third goal of the year, a career high for the former Maryland Terrapin.

Led by Kristie Mewis, the Breakers were able to mount a comeback and take the lead 2-1 in a span of just three minutes. First, Mewis found Lianne Sanderson at the top of the penalty box, who trapped the ball down and sent it past rookie goalkeeper Kelsey Wys.

Mewis then sent Jazmine Reeves off to the races with a long ball into the 18. Reeves went one-on-one with Brittany Taylor, was able to draw penalty kick for her team. Heather O'Reilly stepped up to the mark and converted the penalty.

The Breakers extended its lead to 3-1 before the half, when O'Reilly found Reeves in the box for a header. Just moments earlier, defender Katherine Reynolds had come off the field after receiving treatment from the trainer. Reynolds would leave for the remainder of the match and is ruled out of Thursday's game with a high ankle sprain.

The second half saw two more goals added to the scoreline, the first coming from Flash captain Carli Lloyd. Rookie Haley Palmer, who entered the match for Reynolds, sent a cross into the box that Lloyd maintained control of and sent past Alyssa Naeher. The goal tied Lloyd for the team lead with seven, and the assist was the first professional point of Palmer's career.

With the Flash pushing for an equalizer, the Breakers were able to put the game away on a breakaway from O'Reilly, after Maddy Evans sent the US international in on goal in the 86th minute.

After the loss, the Flash is currently four points out from the final playoff spot however a win or tie by Washington on Wednesday night could drop the Flash another place in the rankings.

Sky Blue FC currently sits in seventh place in the NWSL standings with a record of 4-8-7 (19 points) this season, and is coming off a 2-1 loss against FC Kansas City.

Ending the season with three games on the road, the upcoming game will be Sky Blue FC's final home game of the season. Sky Blue has a record of 2-7-1 at Yurcak Field this year, and has the most home losses of any NWSL team.

The Flash can clinch the season series with a win on Thursday, after winning the first contest by a score of 2-0 at home. Crucial points are also up for grabs, as the Flash need three points to keep pace in the race to the playoffs.



National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 30, 2014


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