Flash Set to Take On Spirit at Sahlen's Stadium
July 31, 2013 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
Elma, N.Y. - After being idle during Week 16, the Western New York Flash return to Sahlen's Stadium on Wednesday night to host the Washington Spirit in the final meeting between the two teams this year. The Flash currently hold the season series at 2-0-1, with the team's most recent victory coming in the form of a 4-0 shutout victory back on June 28th.
Carli Lloyd led the Flash in that game, scoring just the second hat trick in NWSL history, the first natural hat trick ever. Brittany Taylor wrapped up the scoring with the game's final tally, as the Flash shutout Washington for the second time this season. Abby Wambach had two assists in the game. Western New York beat the Spirit 2-0 earlier at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The lone draw of the season came in just the second game of the year, a 1-1 final on the road.
Western New York is coming off its fifth shutout of the season, beating then-number one seeded Sky Blue FC 3-0 at Sahlen's Stadium on July 21st. Lloyd, Taylor and Samantha Kerr all scored for the Flash while Wambach added two helpers. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch made six saves for the clean slate. It was the third time the Flash have beat the New Jersey team.
The Flash will be in full form on Wednesday night, with a couple players returning to the roster. After suffering an MCL injury in the 4-0 win in June, Vicki DiMartino will be back in the Flash lineup for the weekday game. Also returning is Spanish international Adriana Martin, who missed the past seven games while at the 2013 Euro Championship in Sweden. Spain advanced to the knockout round, but fell in the quarterfinals to Norway.
Just eight points away from league-leading FC Kansas City (with two games in hand), the Flash have not secured a playoff spot yet as the NWSL standings are tight across the board.
Washington, however, is the only team to be eliminated from playoff contention thus far. The team currently stands at 1-12-4 (7 points) on the year with its last point coming on July 3rd in a 1-1 tie with Kansas City.
Most recently, the Spirit fell 5-2 to the Boston Breakers on Saturday. Diana Matheson scored just two minutes into the game and, down 2-1, Conny Pohlers equalized the game but the Breakers pulled away over the second half.
The Spirit, who currently have USWNT defender Ali Krieger listed as questionable, will be without back Toni Pressley who injured her groin. The 5-10 defender was often tasked with marking Wambach near the goal. Krieger has been fighting concussion symptoms since a 2-1 loss to Seattle on July 14th.
Wambach currently is tied for the NWSL lead with 10 goals on the year, while her six assists are tied for third in the league. With 83 saves over 17 games, Franch's total is also a league best.
The Spirit have totaled 13 goals on the year, with seven of them coming from Matheson (four on penalties). Western New York has more than double the goal total of Washington, with 28 so far this season. Seven of those scores have come in games between the two teams.
With a 7-4-6 record (27 points), the Flash are the only team in the NWSL that has only lost one game on their home pitch. That was back in the home opener when the Flash fell 2-1 to Boston. Since that point, the Flash are 5-0-1 from the comfort of Sahlen's Stadium and have allowed only six goals total to visiting teams. Conversely, the Flash have posted 15 goals on their home turf.
Wednesday's game will kick-off an 11-day span that sees the Flash play four games. Entering the final stretch of the season, the Flash will have their final road test on Saturday when they travel to Boston for a 6 p.m. contest. Western New York will return to Sahlen's Stadium for their final three games of the year.
Tickets
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.
Game Promotions
It's Carnival Night at Sahlen's Stadium! Before the game, fans will be able to play games (located in the scoreboard concourse) and win prizes.
All drafts will also be $1 leading up to kick-off.
Pregame Music
Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with the music of Rochester band Mansfield Avenue.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 31, 2013
- Flash Add Important Three Points with Shutout over Washington - Western New York Flash
- Spirit Blanked 3-0 at Western New York - Washington Spirit
- Thorns FC Sign Defender Tina Ellertson - Portland Thorns FC
- FC Kansas City Signs Jaime French - FC Kansas City
- Shannon Boxx to Lead Walk to End Lupus Now⢠in Naperville Aug 10 - Chicago Stars FC
- Boston Breakers 2014 season tickets are on sale Aug. 1 - Boston Breakers
- Flash Set to Take On Spirit at Sahlen's Stadium - Western New York Flash
- Washington Spirit Sign Defender Marisa Abegg on NWSL Roster Freeze - Washington Spirit
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