Olympians Lori & Meghan Return
Published on June 21, 2012 under Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Western New York Flash News Release
Undaunted by four games in nine days, the Western New York Flash pulled 10 of a possible 12 points from the busy stretch. With a little help from another club's miscue, Western New York now sits one point back of leaders Boston and Chicago in WPSL Elite.
In last weekend's road trip, the Flash knocked off ASA Chesapeake 2-0 before drawing Philadelphia 0-0. Adriana registered the brace against the Charge, while goalies Alli Lipsher and Brittany Cameron took turns keeping clean sheets. The Flash has not allowed a goal in 278 regulation minutes.
"I thought Chesapeake was the better team of the two [opponents]," head coach Aaran Lines said. "It was definitely a fantastic game on Saturday under difficult circumstances -
the 2 p.m. kickoff, 100 degrees on the field. It was very positive to get our first win on the road."
"The second game we played a lot better than we did Saturday," he continued, "and we did put the ball in the net, but it was called off-side three times by the linesman, who didn't have his glasses on. We did enough [to win] in terms of creating."
Five days later, the Flash has a second chance to kick the Fever. Western New York plays again Sunday in Massachusetts.
Friday:
The match: WNY Flash (5-1-2) vs. Philadelphia Fever (0-4-2)
The venue: Sahlen's Stadium, Rochester
The time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last game: WNY drew Philadelphia Fever
0-0
$1.00 DRAFT BEERS UNTIL KICK-OFF!
Sunday:
The match: WNY Flash vs. New England Mutiny
The venue: East Long Meadow High School in MA
The time: 5 p.m. Sunday
Follow the Flash on Twitter (@WNYFlash) for updates!
FLASHcards for this weekend's matches
In each installment of the weekly "ËFlashcards,' we'll examine any roster moves for Western New York, take a gander at the weekend's opponents and absorb insight from Lines or a player.
1) Unexpected aid:
It was announced Monday night that the Flash's 3-2 loss to Boston on May 26 has been switched to a 1-0 WNY victory due to the Breakers' use of an ineligible player. Boston striker Melissa Henderson was deemed ineligible because U.S. Soccer had not cleared her International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Boston's record dropped from 6-1 to 5-2, but after the Breakers' 4-2 win over New England Wednesday night, the former WPS club is now tied with Chicago for best in WPSL Elite with 18 points. In addition to the Flash's vault from fourth to third place, Western New York has now conceded the fewest goals (3) in the league.
"We'll take it," Lines admitted, "but we would have rather gone [to Boston] without them playing an illegal player and won the match fair and square."
2) Internationals return for Friday's match:
The coming rematch against Philadelphia will be the first opportunity for Flash fans to see U.S. internationals Lori Lindsey and Meghan Klingenberg suit up at Sahlen's Stadium. The duo took part in Western New York's 0-0 road draw against the New York Fury before returning to Pia Sundhage's camp. Lindsey and Klingenberg will be available for both weekend matches before returning to Olympic preparation.
WNY's young standouts Toni Pressley and Stephanie Ochs return from Norway triumphant as the U-23 U.S. women's national team won the Three Nations Tournament. Both Flash players found the score-sheet - Pressley smashed in a header against Sweden, while Ochs punctuated the 4-1 win over Norway with a precise finish in the 87th minute.
"Obviously we're very happy to have all four players back in," Lines said. "Lori and Meghan have been training at the highest level of women's soccer in this country, even if they didn't get into the last two [USWNT] matches. They'll be sharp and eager to get out there."
3) Battle for spots:
With the four internationals available, Lines has a bevy of tough decisions in front of him before Friday's match.
"I'm in a wonderful situation to be honest," the former New Zealand international said. "We've got a large percentage of the squad pushing for places in the lineup - every coach dreams of this kind of headache."
There's a battle raging between the pipes, too, as both Alli Lipsher and Brittany Cameron, who returned from injury to stymie Philadelphia, have been sharp.
"Alli Lipsher has come in and done an excellent job for the club after not starting the first few games," Lines said. "At the moment, we have two #1s."
With three straight clean sheets in the rearview mirror, Lines gushed about how quickly his defense has meshed.
"Alex [Sahlen] has done an excellent job - we switched her from the right to the left [fullback spot]. The biggest surprise has been Katherine Reynolds stepping into the center back position. Along with Nikki Marshall, we've got two horses in there, two great athletes. That's been the platform for our success, how quickly they've jelled."
Lines further mentioned midfielder Katy Frierson and defender Tori Huster as two young players who'd spent time on the bench early in the season but seized their recent opportunities.
Will the Flash continue its surge up the table in WPSL Elite?
Next Flash Home Game:
Sponsored by:
Friday 6/22/2012
Vs. Philadelphia Fever
7:30pm @ Sahlen's Stadium
Gates open at 6:30pm
$1.00 Draft Beers until Kick-off!!!!!
Women's Professional Soccer Stories from June 21, 2012
- Olympians Lori & Meghan Return - Western New York Flash
- Simon's hat trick seals 4-2 win over Mutiny - Boston Breakers
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