Flash Earn Point in Home Draw with Reign FC
July 3, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Friday, July 3, 2015) - The Western New York Flash picked up another point on Friday night, with a 1-1 draw against 2014 NWSL Shield winner Seattle Reign FC in front of 2,377 fans at Sahlen's Stadium.
"I thought we were tremendous. Obviously, an mistake cost us the lead there early, but I think the response from that was just tremendous," said Flash general manager and head coach Aaran Lines. "[Seattle] was clearly the best team in the league last year, running away with the regular season. To have them come in here and outshoot them 20-1, and to control the game like we did was really encouraging for a young group."
"We've come a long way and were going to continue. This was a valuable point against a top team."
Posting a season-high 20 shots in the match, the Flash (4-4-2, 14 points) were finally able to end Haley Kopmeyer's clean sheet bid in the 82nd minute.
Lynn Williams leveled the game at 1-1 when Elizabeth Eddy made a spectacular play to find the forward. Eddy, after collecting a pass from Becky Edwards at the top of the box, cut through three Reign defenders before slipping a ball around Mariah Bullock. Eddy ran onto the self-pass and fired a low cross through the box that Ajara Njoya dummied for Williams to hammer home.
Seattle's goal came after being held without a shot for 55 minutes, capitalizing on their first and only attempt of the game after being awarded a penalty kick. Fishlock was fouled by defender Abby Dahlkemper in the box and June Player of the Month Kim Little put the visitors up 1-0, sending a shot to the right while Chantel Jones dove to the left.
It was Williams' third goal of the season, tying her for the team-lead with Samantha Mewis, and the second-consecutive game the duo linked up for a Flash score.
With 10 shots on both sides of halftime, the Flash chances were early and often. In the 10th minute on the Flash's second corner kick of the game, captain Brittany Taylor battled with Kim Little on the right byline, eventually winning the ball back for her team. Taylor turned in and sent a short cross to the goalmouth that Dahlkemper nearly headed home for the goal.
Five-minutes later, Edwards put pressure on Keelin Winters, forcing a turnover and Eddy collected the ball. She found Amanda Frisbie who was able to get a foot on the ball inside the box but it went out wide. Later, Eddy nearly found Mewis in the penalty area but her aerial effort sailed wide. Friday's start marked the first professional start for Frisbie, coming against the team that drafted her No. 7 overall in the 2014 NWSL College Draft.
Kopmeyer made an acrobatic save in the 22nd minute, closing the door on Edwards who was looking for her second goal of the season. Frisbie sent a well-struck cross that Edwards headed toward the far post but Kopmeyer made a full-extension dive to keep it 0-0.
The Seattle goalkeeper was tested a few minutes later when Jaelene Hinkle's cross was headed out of the box by the Seattle defense but fell to the feet of Williams. Her shot was headed left but deflected off a defender, forcing Kopmeyer to quickly change direction to make the save.
After equalizing the game, the Flash increased the offensive attack, nearly coming away with three points with a flurry of chances late. On one occasion, Taylor made a cheeky backheel attempt at the goal, but Kopmeyer was in position for the test.
The Flash and Reign will meet again in a week, closing out a home-and-home series at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. The 10 p.m. ET game will be the third and final time the two teams meet this season.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 3, 2015
- Sky Blue FC Takes Early Lead, Suffers Eventual 2-1 Road Loss to Portland Thorns FC - Sky Blue FC
- FC Kanas City Defeats Spirit - Washington Spirit
- FC Kansas City Defeats Spirit - Washington Spirit
- FC Kansas City Shuts out the Washington Spirit 3-0 - FC Kansas City
- Flash Earn Point in Home Draw with Reign FC - Western New York Flash
- Reign FC Extends Unbeaten Run to Seven Matches Following 1-1 Draw with Western New York Flash - Seattle Reign FC
- Houston Dash to Host World Cup Final Watch Party on Sunday - Houston Dash
- Germany and England Face off Saturday at 4 p.m. ET in Third-Place Match - NWSL
- NWSL by the Numbers: FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 - NWSL
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