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Lightning Start Season with a 1-1 Draw with No. 6 in the World FC Indiana Lionesses

May 29, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Friday, May 29, 2009) - The Minnesota Lightning start of off the 2009 campaign with a 1-1 draw with FC Indiana Lionesses. The Lightning is the only team in the USL W-League to get points from Indiana in the past two years. Indiana is ranked 6th in the world by www.womensworldfootball.com and the Lightning had no trouble playing on the same level. Minnesota struck first with the help of Indiana as it was an own goal. It was not until late in the first half that Indiana responded in kind with a goal of their own. The game ended with the score of 1-1 and both teams walked away with a point. Minnesota is gearing up to face West Michigan Firewomen on Sunday May 31 at 2:35 p.m.

The ladies opened the season with a bang. The Lightning had control of the ball in the fifth minute deep in Indiana's territory with the intent on scoring. Their ferocity made Indiana lose control of the ball and the play ended in an own goal as Minnesota took an early lead.

Indiana did not let the early goal diminish their attempts at evening up the score. In the 10th minute, Laura Del Rio was fed a cross that threaded the Minnesota defenders. Del Rio accepted the ball and wasted no time in putting pressure of Anne Gleason by heading the pass but to her dismay it found the clutches of Gleason.

Del Rio had another chance to even up the score in the 14th minute. She had the ball at the top of the box with a little window of opportunity. She did not hesitate and ending up shooting on goal but Gleason prevented this advance.

Minnesota Keeper Gleason set up her brick wall in the 15th minute. Indiana really wanted the equalizer by peppering Gleason but she did not let a ball through. A series of diving saves and some help from the defenders made it possible for the Lightning to keep the lead.

Sarah Johnson for Minnesota wanted to add to the lead in the 29th minute. Due to a foul the Johnson found herself behind the ball on a free kick. She was ten yards outside of the box and she went for it all. Her shot curled around the defenders but was inches too high and it sailed over the net.

In the 35th minute, Indiana evened the score thanks to Del Rio. She was in position when Amara Wilson gave her a well placed short pass. It was a small chip shot that just went over Gleason's head for the equalizer.

In the 41st minute, tempers raged between the officials and an Indiana's assistant coach. There was a hard tackle and a call that could have gone either way but when the call favored Minnesota he took matters into his own hands. He showed his frustration by stepping onto the field and hurling a water bottle. This stunt resulted in his expulsion from the game.

Both teams left the field at halftime on even ground and hungry for the go ahead goal.

In the 60th minute, FC Indiana tried to rope-a-dope the Lightning on a free kick. Del Rio was ready to take the free kick but instead kicking it she ran over the ball but went into position. Robyn Gayle took the kick and passed it to Del Rio who flicked it back to Veronica Phewa where she took a shot but Gleason was there to make the stop.

In the 85th minute, Gleason single handedly stopped a solid try by Indiana. FC sent in a mediocre corner that the Lightning had no problem clearing but the ball went right to Indiana who slipped a shot past everyone except a fully out stretched Gleason. Gleason's effort saved the Lightning from losing the game.

Indiana forward Monica Ocampo had a last minute chance in the 88th minute. She took control of the ball near the top of the box and ripped a shot. Gleason was all over it and had no problem making the save.

Indiana clearly had the momentum in the second half as the ball was played mainly in the Lightning's end. Minnesota did not let that get to them and they walked off the field with a draw for their season opener.

"It was a battle," said Lightning defender/midfielder Amanda Clark. "Everyone worked hard out there. You could really tell that everyone gave 110% effort and left everything out on the field. It was a good result for us today."

The Lightning are home again for a double header with their brother team, the Minnesota Thunder, on Sunday May 31. The Lightning game starts at 2:35 p.m. against the West Michigan Firewomen. Immediately following that game is the Thunder vs. the Puerto Rico Islanders at 5:05 p.m. One ticket gets fans into both games.



USL First Division Stories from May 29, 2009


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