Flash Welcome Back World Cup Stars with 3-3 Draw at Sahlen's Stadium
July 19, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
Western New York Flash Honors World Cup Stars
(Western New York Flash)
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Sunday, July 19, 2015) - The Western New York Flash earned a point in its first, post-World Cup home game, drawing level with Sky Blue FC 3-3 at Sahlen's Stadium. It was the first game back for World Cup-winner Whitney Engen, who played all 90 minutes in front of 3,161 fans.
The Flash held a 3-1 lead until the 50th minute but Sky Blue responded with two goals in a six-minute span to come back.
"Scoring three goals in your own backyard should be enough to take three points away," said Flash general manager and head coach Aaran Lines. "Disappointing that we conceded those three but we'll get back to work and make it better."
After a pregame ceremony to honor the World Cup Champions from both teams, the Flash got things started quickly, with recent signing Michelle Heyman creating a corner kick in the second minute. On that first attempt, Jasmyne Spencer found the ball in a scramble and knocked it home to put the home team up 1-0.
Later, just before the first cooling break of the match, defender Jaelene Hinkle netted her first professional goal, sending a scorcher past Sky Blue goalkeeper Brittany Cameron. After collecting the ball near midfield, Hinkle dribbled forward and used her right foot to tuck the ball into the left post from 22-yards away.
Nadia Nadim drew one back for the visitors in the 39th minute, finding a gap in the backline off a chip from Kelley O'Hara.
Heyman, who was a consistent threat in her 79-minute NWSL debut, finally got the goal she was looking for at the 50-minute mark to put the Flash up 3-1. Samantha Mewis started the chance with a curling shot to the upper, right 90 that Cameron made a finger-tip save on. However, that save parried off the crossbar and back to the feet of Heyman who hammered the ball home. Earlier in the match, Heyman nearly scored on a header but Cameron made a diving save to deflect the ball off the post.
Ten minutes after Heyman's goal, Sky Blue scored another two goals to take two points away from the Flash.
The visitors scored their second goal after Katy Freels shot from inside the box was deflected off the foot of Brittany Taylor who slid in on a block attempt. But, the block redirected the shot into the back of the Flash net.
The captain Rampone then scored just her second-career goal, getting on the end of a Freels' corner kick in the 66th minute.
Chantel Jones finished the match with seven saves, including a quick, change of direction stop in the first half to pick-off a Samantha Kerr cross just in front of the goal line. Mewis and Heyman both led the Flash with five shots each.
Western New York will continue a four-game home stand on Saturday afternoon, when former midfielder and World Cup MVP Carli Lloyd visits with the Houston Dash. Tickets for the 7 p.m. ET contest can be purchased online at wnyflash.com, by calling the Flash at (716) 655-PLAY or by contacting Sahlen's Stadium at (585) 454-KICK.
Group ticket discounts are also available for parties of 10 or more.
Images from this story
 Michelle Heyman of the Western New York vs. Kelley O'Hara of Sky Blue FC |
 Jasmyne Spencer of the Western New York Flash Scores |
 Western New York Flash Honors World Cup Stars |
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 19, 2015
- Preview: FC Kansas City Puts Two-Game Winning Streak on the Line against Houston - FC Kansas City
- Flash Welcome Back World Cup Stars with 3-3 Draw at Sahlen's Stadium - Western New York Flash
- Sky Blue FC Scores Season High Three Goals in 3-3 Draw with Flash - Sky Blue FC
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