Flash Draw with Breakers Away from Home, Extend Unbeaten Streak to Three
July 24, 2011 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Western New York Flash News Release
Allston, MA (July 24, 2011) - The Western New York Flash (8-2-3, 27 points) of Women's Professional Soccer came from behind twice to earn a draw away from home against the Boston Breakers (4-5-4, 16 points). Scoring for the Flash were FIFA Five time Player of the Year Marta, and US Women's National Team Star Alex Morgan. The draw propels WNY into a tie for first place with the Philadelphia Independence.
The home side had a couple great chances early, both on crosses from English international defender Alex Scott. Her service to O'Hara in the third minute was headed over the net. In the seventh minute, Katie Schoepfer played a perfect through ball to Scott, who then sent a pass in the box to Liz Bogus. Bogus' shot was deflected away in front of Flash keeper Ashlyn Harris.
The Flash also came out attacking, and in the 12th minute, Yael Averbuch hit a ball near post, but it hit the side netting. In the 14th minute, Marta played a ball in from midfield and out wide to Christine Sinclair. The Canadian international then crossed it to Averbuch, but the ball was a couple steps ahead of the oncoming Averbuch.
The Breakers got on the board first in the 20th minute when Meghan Klingenberg kept a ball in the final third on an attempted clearance by the Flash. Klingenberg's header went to Schoepfer, who pushed another great through ball into the box. This time it went to O'Hara, and the second-year forward out of Stanford University lunged to reach the ball and slid a shot past Harris to put Boston ahead, 1-0. This was O'Hara's first game back after playing with the U.S. Women's National Team at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.
Marta nearly leveled the game in the 28th minute for the Flash, rifling a shot from the top left corner of the box, but Breakers keeper Alyssa Naeher easily collected the shot. The Flash kept pressuring, and one minute after McCall Zerboni's header went wide in the 37th minute, Marta made it a 1-1 game on a blistering, low-driven shot that bit Naeher far post. The half ended 1-1, and with the start of the second half young scoring sensation Morgan was brought in for the Flash.
The Breakers regained the lead in the 84th minute. O'Hara scored on a give-and-go with Claire Zimmeck to make it a 2-1 game. The Flash continued to pressure the Breakers and equalized in the 87th minute. The series began with a Marta free kick, which was poorly cleared by the Boston backline. Substitute Beverly Goebel headed the ball back into the box, where Morgan flicked the ball off the outside of her left foot and over the outstretched arms of Naeher. WNY continued to push for the go-ahead goal in the dying minutes, with chances by Goebel and Sinclair which were unfortunately blocked by Naeher and the Boston back line to leave the game a 2-2 final.
Prior to tonight's match, the 13 World Cup players between the two teams combined were honored on the field during a pre-game ceremony led by WPS Chief Executive Officer Anne-Marie Eileraas. The Breakers players recognized were: Rachel Buehler, Lauren Cheney, Stephanie Cox, Amy LePeilbet, and Kelley O'Hara from the U.S.; Alex Scott and Kelly Smith from England; and World Cup champion Aya Sameshima from Japan. The Flash players recognized were Alex Morgan (U.S.), Ali Riley (New Zealand), Marta (Brazil), Christine Sinclair (Canada), and Candace Chapman (Canada).
Player Quotes:
Flash forward Alex Morgan:
"I think at that point there were only a few minutes left, and we were just trying to just keep it alive. So any chance I got and that one went in. Honestly before goals I black out so I don't really remember what happened before. I received a bouncing ball and looked over my shoulder and just tried to flick it over the keeper's head. I don't think I've ever scored two goals exactly the same, but that was definitely a top goal"
Morgan's reaction to the days following the U.S. Women's National Team's return from the World Cup:
"It's been a crazy week. I'm just trying to get myself mentally and physically ready for this week and for the rest of the season. It has been a little draining but I've been trying to stay focused and focus on the end of the season. It's going really well."
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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from July 24, 2011
- Flash Draw with Breakers Away from Home, Extend Unbeaten Streak to Three - Western New York Flash
- World Cup Celebration A Success, Beat Tie At Home - Atlanta Beat
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