Flash Return to Rochester to Take on Sky Blue FC
May 20, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ELMA, N.Y. - The Western New York Flash return to Rochester to take on familiar foe Sky Blue FC on Saturday, May 21. The Flash will be celebrating CONCACAF Women's Football Day with New York State West Youth Soccer Association Executive Director Amy Gush serving as honorary captain of the match. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
The two teams last met only two weeks ago in Piscataway, N.J. A thriller until the end, Sky Blue FC went up 1-0 in the first half when Sky Blue forward Maya Hayes managed to slip behind the Flash's backline. Western New York had a surging second half thanks to a Jaelene Hinkle penalty kick and a Sam Mewis finish late in the second half. The Flash walked away with a 2-1 win.
The Flash are looking to find their home form after starting the season with four road games and dropping their only home game so far 3-0 to the undefeated Washington Spirit. Despite a tough result, the team is excited to be back for an extended period.
"This stretch of home games will be really important for us," said Flash forward Lynn Williams. "We need to make Rochester a place that other teams find difficult to play at. We enjoy playing in front of our home crowd and feeding off of that atmosphere they create."
Head coach Paul Riley agreed on how crucial this long stretch of home games will be for the Flash, especially with the advantage of not having "the wear and tear of traveling." Riley noted that the team's "performances are steadily improving" and that he felt all the players "are committed to the process."
Western New York is coming off a heartbreaking 1-0 loss in Orlando. The Flash once again proved they could create quality opportunities against strong teams but failed to capitalize, such as a chance from Williams in the first half that hit the crossbar - something Riley and his side are looking to change this weekend.
"This week our concentration has been on our forwards, and we have spent a tremendous amount of quality time in front of goal," said Riley. "We want to make sure we finish the chances we have been creating. Finishing is the difference between a result and a decent performance."
Sky Blue FC broke their three-game losing streak last weekend with a 1-0 win over the goalless Boston Breakers. A close matchup throughout, the difference was a Boston Breakers own goal in the first half when a Boston defender went to go make a play on the ball and deflected it into her own net.
Tickets for the game are available at wnyflash.com/tickets before kickoff at 7:00 p.m. A live stream of the match will be available at youtube.com/NWSL. The Flash will remain at home for a seven game homestand, with the Boston Breakers coming to Rochester next on Friday, May 27, at 7:00 p.m.
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