Flash Extend Point Streak to Seven Games with Exciting Finish at Chicago
Published on June 19, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
Lisle, IL (Wednesday, June 19, 2013) - Exactly two weeks ago the Western New York Flash started a four-game road trip that began with a dramatic 2-2 tie in Boston. Wednesday night, that trip ended the exact same way as the Flash played to an exciting 2-2 draw at Chicago.
In the draw at Boston, Jodi-Ann Robinson provided the late heroics but the Flash were without the forward as she was on duty with the Canadian National Team. Today, it was defender Brittany Taylor who earned a point for the Flash when she capitalized in the 89th minute.
With the Flash searching for the late equalizer, Taylor was gifted with a perfectly placed long ball from fellow defender Alex Sahlen. Inside the 18-yard box, Taylor met the ball midair and sent a volley past Red Star's goalkeeper Taylor Vancil before being surrounded by celebrating teammates.
Ironically, it was Taylor who was the spotlight player in the first meeting between the teams this season when she posted both assists in the Flash's 2-1 win over Chicago on May 24th.
The Red Stars put the Flash in a hole early, scoring in the opening minute on a header goal from Alyssa Mautz. Mautz was on the receiving end of a deflection off the crossbar that she was able to head past Adrianna Franch.
But the Flash countered, leveling the playing field 12 minutes later. Vicki DiMartino, who earned her second career start in as many games, chased down a ball on the left side before sending a cross toward teammate Adriana Martin. That cross was blocked, but came back to DiMartino who played a carbon-copy ball to Adriana again. This time, the feed got through and the Spaniard scored her second goal of the year, volleying the ball home.
Chicago ended the first half with their second goal of the game, scored in the 41st minute by Leslie Osborne. Osborne capitalized on a corner kick from the left side with the second Red Star header goal of the game. The midfielder found the cross from Lori Chalupny, and sent a lofting header back to the near post, against the movement of Franch.
Despite being outshot 7-2 in the second half, the Flash were able to find the equalizer late in the game on Taylor's first goal of the year.
"We got one or two good opportunities in the half, that second one at the end from Brittany Taylor who moved up top 30 seconds earlier. And we got a great ball from Alex," said Flash head coach Aaran Lines. "I had a feeling that BT might get in a goal-scoring position."
The Red Stars had quality chances throughout the game to extend their lead, but they could not find net more than twice. With the score 1-1, Chalupny played a ball to Ella Masar who gave chase and chipped over Franch, who came off her line to challenge. But the attempt didn't have enough power to reach the goal and was cleared away from danger by Estelle Johnson. The veteran Chalupny also found Osborne on corner kick in the 35th minute, but her header attempt went wide to the left.
Moments later, Laura Heyboer nearly got on the board with a diving header attempt off a ball from Veronica Perez, but it was fought off by Vancil. After collecting a long pass from Taylor, Perez settled and chipped over to Heyboer, who got her third starting nod Wednesday night.
After the home team went up 2-1, the Flash nearly responded a minute later with Adriana dancing on the left side and sending a cross towards the goal. Captain McCall Zerboni was unable to connect with her head, but the ball fell to the feet of Perez who fired a hard shot at net, however it was blocked away by the Red Stars' defense.
Although Chicago totaled seven shots in the second leg, only one was on goal - a 25-yard shot from Mautz that was denied by Franch. After chasing down a through-ball, Mautz put a shot on goal that Franch, about eight yards off her line, was able to punch out for a corner kick. On the ensuing kick, Julianne Sitch found Osborne in the box, but her header went wide left.
Five minutes later, the Red Stars pressed again with Inka Grings striking a ball that was blocked by Katherine Reynolds. However, that block went straight in the air and Reynolds had to fight for position before clearing the threat away.
In the 74th minute, Zerboni and Sahlen worked a clean give-and-go, with Sahlen collecting the ball on an overlapping run, but her cross from close range was blocked away before the Flash could get an attempt at the goal.
With the tie, the Flash (5-2-3, 18 points) extend their unbeaten streak to seven games and finish their June road trip 2-0-2.
"I'm happy for ladies coming off a four-game road stretch," Lines said. "We've taken eight points out of four games on the road and I'm excited to go back home."
The Flash return to Sahlen's Stadium on Sunday to host the Seattle Reign in "A Pit Stop for Camp Good Days". Western New York will be partnering with Watkins Glen to promote Six Hours of the Glen, with specialty Glen jerseys to be raffled off following the game. All proceeds of the raffle will go to Camp Good Days and Special Times.
Tickets for all Flash home games can be purchased by calling the Sahlen's Stadium box office at (585) 454-KICK or online at wnyflash.com.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 19, 2013
- Flash Extend Point Streak to Seven Games with Exciting Finish at Chicago - Western New York Flash
- Red Stars End 4-Game Stretch with 2-2 Tie vs WNY - Chicago Stars FC
- Megan Rapinoe, Stephanie Cox and Kennya Cordner Signed by Reign FC - Seattle Reign FC
- Breakers Coach Lisa Cole and Guests Will Lead Course - Boston Breakers
- In a Flash: WNY at Chicago - Western New York Flash
- Flash F Robinson Called to Canadian National Team - Western New York Flash
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