Flash Crowned Regular Season Champions After 2-0 Shutout
August 15, 2011 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Western New York Flash News Release
ROCHESTER, NY (August 14, 2011)- The Western New York Flash (13-2-3, 42 points) of Women's Professional Soccer won the WPS Regular Season Title and the right to host the WPS championship game with their 2-0 win over the Atlanta Beat (1-13-4, 7 points) on Sunday evening at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, NY.
The field was slick after storms cleared up just in time for the 6 p.m. kickoff with a steady rain still falling. There were no major chances from either side until the 17th minute when the Flash were awarded two corner kicks, delivered by Marta. Canadian International Christine Sinclair and US National Team player Alex Morgan both had solid chances, forcing Beat goalkeeper Allison Whitworth to make the save.
An overdue Flash goal was netted in the 37th minute as midfielder Brittany Bock set up the play to Morgan on the left flank, who waited to send in a cross. Swedish National Team player Caroline Seger was in front of the net to get a foot and slot the ball between Whitworth and the far right post. The goal was the skippers fifth of the season. The Flash led in shots 10-4 at halftime. As the Flash vs. Beat game hit halftime, the Philadelphia vs. magicJack came to a close. With Philadelphia dropping 2-1 to magicJack, the Flash clinched the WPS Regular Season Title and home field advantage in the WPS Championship match which will take place on Saturday, August 27th at Sahlen's Stadium. The crowd, which mostly sported pink in honor of the Puma sponsored "Project PINK," cheered as the announcer said over the PA that the championship game would be held right here at Sahlen's Stadium.
At the half, the Flash made two substitutes into the midfield as Beverly Goebel and Yael Averbuch checked into the match. The Flash immediately put pressure on the Beat, and Seger nearly scored her second goal of the match in the 49th minute. She was called offside after collecting a rebound after Whitworth made a great diving save on Morgan's shot.
International players Marta, Morgan and Sinclair connected and showed off their skill in the forward line throughout the entire game, and the tandem struck again in the 75th minute. Marta received the ball in behind from Sinclair, and found herself on a breakaway. She waited for the pressure from Whitworth, and slotted the ball to the far left post to enhance the Flash lead to 2-0 over the Beat and conclude the scoring for the evening.
Marta has five goals and two assists in the last three games for the Flash and was crowned the WPS Golden Boot Winner for the third time in three years with ten goals on the season. Sinclair also had ten goals on the season, but Marta edged out her teammate with a higher goals per game average.
The Flash will host the Women's Professional Soccer championship match on Saturday, August 27th at 4:00 p.m at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, NY. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and by calling 585-454-5425.
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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from August 15, 2011
- Flash Forward Marta Captures Third Consecutive Puma Golden Boot Award - WPS
- Beat Fall 2-0 In Season Finale - Atlanta Beat
- Breakers Heading to Playoffs - Boston Breakers
- Flash Crowned Regular Season Champions After 2-0 Shutout - Western New York Flash
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