Flash Pick up Three Points in Exciting Match Versus Washington
May 23, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Saturday, May 23, 2015) - The Western New York Flash picked up its second win of the season on Saturday night, defeating second-seeded Washington Spirit 3-2 in front of 2,110 fans at Sahlen's Stadium.
The Flash (2-3-1) now holds seven points on the year after earning its second win from the comforts of its home stadium. Washington (3-1-1) remains at 10 points and in second place in the NWSL.
"I'm very happy with the result and picking up three points," said Flash general manager and head coach Aaran Lines. "We needed that going into the game. This obviously lifts us off from the position that we were in before. It was important for the group. Four points in our last two games is wonderful."
Western New York was the first to get on the board when rookie Lynn Williams beat Kelsey Wys on a breakaway in the 11th minute and slotted the ball home. Williams was sent forward on a through ball from Jasmyne Spencer and the forward wasted no time, putting in her first professional goal.
The Spirit equalized in the 24th minute when a penalty kick was awarded to the visitors after a handball in the box. Washington's Christine Nairn beat Flash starting goalkeeper Robyn Horner for her fourth goal of the season. Horner was called up as an amateur player for Saturday, after both Sabrina D'Angelo and Chantel Jones were unavailable for the evening's game.
The Flash gained a 2-1 advantage 10 minutes from the end of the first half when Samantha Mewis headed in her second goal of the season off a lofted Becky Edwards' corner kick. Washington's Angela Salem tried to clear the ball off the line, but it was ruled in by the assistant referee.
Crystal Dunn drew the game level in the 55th minute on a breakaway goal, but the tie didn't last long as Spencer put in the Flash's third goal of the night just two minutes later. The 5'1" forward was able to rise above the Spirit backline and powered a header past the former Flash goalkeeper Wys, which proved to be the game-winner.
The Flash had its first true chance in the fifth minute after working the ball up the field to Jamia Fields on the left side. Fields cut the ball in and passed back to Edwards who took a running shot, but it sailed high of the crossbar.
Horner came up with a big save in the ninth minute, denying Nairn from close range on a diving save to her left.
After Mewis took a hard foul in the 63th minute, Edwards nearly put in her second of the season on a set piece from 25-yards out, but Wys was able to tip the shot over the bar.
With the Flash up one, Dunn looked to break again in the 66th minute, making a move to get by centerback Brittany Taylor but Abby Dahlkemper made a well-timed tackle to poke the ball away on the trail.
Horner finished with five saves in her NWSL debut, while the Flash totaled 10 shots in the match.
I thought [Horner] was excellent, she was brilliant back there," added Lines. "Credit to [Flash Technical Director] Charlie Naimo for giving us Robyn Horner."
The Flash will play one more match before the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup break, hosting the Chicago Red Stars at 7 p.m. ET on June 6. The game will be "Race Night" sponsored by Watkins Glen International, and the Flash will be wearing limited edition Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen jerseys, which will be raffled off to fans following the contest.
Tickets are available online at wnyflash.com, by calling the Flash at (716) 655-PLAY or by calling the Sahlen's Stadium Box Office at (585) 454-KICK.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 23, 2015
- Spirit Drop Points on the Road against the Flash - Washington Spirit
- Flash Pick up Three Points in Exciting Match Versus Washington - Western New York Flash
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