Flash Head to Boston on Saturday; Could Clinch Postseason Appearance
August 2, 2013 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
Elma, N.Y. (Friday, August 2, 2013) - With four games remaining in the regular season, the Western New York Flash head to Boston on Saturday looking to add to their control of a playoff position. The 6 p.m. contest from Dilboy Stadium could be a playoff clincher, as a Flash win paired with a Chicago loss against Seattle would ensure a postseason for Western New York. With a win and a Sky Blue loss, the Flash would also move up in the standings from fourth to third place.
The two teams have met twice already this season, with Boston holding the series record at 1-0-1. The Breakers spoiled the Flash's home opener back on April 27th with a 2-1 win, however that was the last time the Flash fell at Sahlen's Stadium. In their second game, Jodi-Ann Robinson's header in second half stoppage time leveled the game at 2-2 and earned a point for the Flash.
The teams will have their fourth and final game against each other in the regular season finale, aired on Fox Soccer Channel, on August 17th in Rochester.
Though the Flash are 6-1-1 at Sahlen's Stadium, they have been tested on the road. The team holds a 2-3-5 record outside the comforts of their home pitch with their last away win coming on June 8th.
However, Western New York has the most potent offense in the NWSL with 31 total goals through 18 games, one goal ahead of league-leading FC Kansas City who has played 19 contests. The Breakers are third in that statistic, with 29 goals on the year.
Both teams have a double-digit scorer in their lineup, with Abby Wambach and Sydney Leroux leading the NWSL in goals scored. Wambach has gotten off 52 shots in 15 appearances while Leroux has 51 in the same amount of time.
The Flash are coming off a 3-0 win over the Washington Spirit on Wednesday which saw a season-high 23 shots from the upstate New York team. It was Spanish international Adriana Martin who opened the scoring with a left-footed volley in the 35th minute, just 10 minutes after entering the game. Adriana came in to replace defender Alex Sahlen who injured her foot early on.
Samantha Kerr and Carli Lloyd added some insurance to the lead in the second half as the defense held out for its sixth clean slate of the season. The Flash kept Washington to just one shot in the game, which didn't come until the 85th minute and was stopped by Adrianna Franch.
Boston also had its last game against the Spirit, a 5-2 victory at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The five goals scored tied a season high set by Sky Blue FC who beat Boston 5-1 in early June.
The Breakers saw a balanced offensive performance with five different players (Heather O'Reilly, Lianne Sanderson, Rhian Wilkinson, Mariah Nogueira, and Cat Whitehill) scoring.
Washington broke through two minutes in, but Nogueira's goal three minutes later leveled the playing field and the Breakers would not trail again in the game. Wilkinson's first goal of the season, in the 48th minute, proved to be the game-winner.
Franch has been a mainstay for the Flash all season with her save total (84) still the highest in the NWSL. Boston, on the other hand, has seen play from three different keepers this year with Ashley Phillips earning the majority of minutes.
The last game was Adriana's first game back in a Flash uniform after missing seven games while on duty with the Spanish National Team that was competing in the 2013 Euro Championship. In addition to Adriana's return on Wednesday, the Flash also saw forward Vicki DiMartino cleared from a knee injury.
The Flash will be cautious with center back Brittany Taylor who injured her groin during WNY's 3-0 win over Sky Blue on July 21st. Taylor did not play on Wednesday, earning rookie Amy Barczuk her first start on the backline.
Saturday's game will be available to watch online, or fans can follow along on the Flash's Official Twitter page.
The Flash will play their final three games of the regular season on their home field, first hosting Hope Solo, Megan Rapinoe and the Seattle Reign at 7:05 p.m. on August 7th. Tickets are available through the Sahlen's Stadium Box Office at (585) 454-KICK or online at wnyflash.com.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 2, 2013
- Breakers Face Must-Win Situation vs. WNY Saturday - Boston Breakers
- Flash Head to Boston on Saturday; Could Clinch Postseason Appearance - Western New York Flash
- Red Stars Take on Seattle Reign in Final of Season Series - Chicago Stars FC
- FC Kansas City Midfielder Erika Tymrak Voted NWSL Player of the Month - NWSL
- Erika Tymrak Voted NWSL Player of the Month - FC Kansas City
- Win or Draw Sunday Reserves Playoff Spot for Kansas City - FC Kansas City
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