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Reign Defeat the Spirit 3-1 in Seattle

May 2, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release


SEATTLE, WA - Seattle Reign FC (2-1-1, 7 points) defeated the Washington Spirit (2-2-0, 6 points) to put an end to their two game losing streak. The Reign displayed a strong performance in their home win with goals from Beverly Yanez, Merritt Mathias, and Jessica Fishlock. Meanwhile, the lone Spirit goal came courtesy of Joanna Lohman. (MATCH PHOTO)

Both sides had spells of possession early in the match. Crystal Dunn, who scored a brace last weekend against Sky Blue FC, looked dangerous early as she made a cutting run with the ball toward the right side of the 18-yard box. Dunn unleashed a shot from the edge of the box, but her effort was off target.

The Reign pulled ahead in the 36th minute as Mathias knocked a cross into the box to Yanez who slammed her shot against the underside of the crossbar leaving Spirit goalkeeper Kelsey Wys with no chance.

The Spirit earned a free kick just before the close of the first half. The ball was played from a typically dangerous area for Christine Nairn, but she put a little bit too much on her shot and it sailed over the crossbar.

Merritt Mathias doubled Seattle's lead just three minutes into the second half. Mathias used her shoulder to beat Alex Singer on the far post and redirected the cross sent in from Kim Little on the right to beat Wys.

Washington pulled one back in the 63rd minute as Dunn threaded a masterful ball through traffic to Lohman inside the box. Lohman ran onto the ball from Dunn and slotted her shot into the lower right corner of the Reign goal.

The Reign responded with their own perfectly weighted through ball about ten minutes later when Little sent a pass into Fishlock from midfield releasing Fishlock centrally and in behind the Spirit backline allowing her to tap the ball under Wys to bring the scoreline to 3-1 in favor of the home side.

Tori Huster nearly scored with a long range effort just before the end of regular time, but the Reign goalkeeper made an impressive leap to tip Huster's shot up and over the crossbar securing a 3-1 win for Seattle.

Next week the Spirit continue their Pacific Northwest road trip as they head south to Oregon to face the Portland Thorns on Saturday May 9th at 10 PM.

Washington Spirit season tickets are available now (10 home matches), with packages starting as low as $170. Check out all of the phenomenal NWSL soccer at the Maryland SoccerPlex by calling 301-337-8579.

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