Scoreless Draw in Chicago Ends Flash's Bid for Postseason Play
August 23, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
CHICAGO (Sunday, August 23, 2015) - The Western New York Flash was eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday evening with a 0-0 draw at the Chicago Red Stars. After FC Kansas City picked up three points last night, the Flash needed a victory in order to stay in the playoff hunt, while Chicago, with the draw, booked its first trip to the NWSL postseason.
The first 45 minutes was hard-fought between the two teams, with opportunities on both ends of the field.
Jamia Fields, earning her seventh start of the season, had a chance off of the Flash's first corner kick of the match. After a short play between Becky Edwards and Michelle Heyman, Edwards sent a cross in that made its way through the box to Fields. Fields took a shot, trying to hit the far post, but it trickled wide of the goal.
It was Fields knocking on the door again in the 18th minute, after Abby Dahlkemper intercepted a pass in the midfield. Samantha Mewis found Fields on a run, but the midfielder's shot was punched over by Michele Dalton.
Flash goalkeeper Chantel Jones had five first-half saves, coming up with a big breakaway stop on Sofia Huerta in the 41st minute. Jones stopped Huerta on the doorstep earlier in the match, and also made a diving stop on Christen Press at the 40-minute mark.
Neither team was able to get a shot on goal in the second half, but rookie Lynn Williams generated a couple opportunities for Western New York in the later minutes. First, Williams used her speed to beat Chicago defender Abby Erceg on the left side. She tried to bend a shot to the far post, but it went just wide. Later, after collecting a long outlet pass, Williams sent the ball to Elizabeth Eddy in the middle but Eddy's half-volley attempt went over the net.
The Western New York Flash will return home for its final two games, next facing the same Chicago Red Stars team on Saturday at Sahlen's Stadium. The match, which kicks off at 7 p.m. ET, will be the Flash's annual Pink game, this season raising money for Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
The home Flash will wear specialty pink jerseys which will be raffled off postgame, with winners getting an autograph and photo with the winning player. Each Flash player, along with local businesses and other professional sports teams, will also be donating a basket of items that will be raffled off at the Flash Shack.
Tickets for that match, as well as the Flash's season finale against Portland Thorns FC, can be purchased at wnyflash.com or by calling the Flash at (716) 655-PLAY or Sahlen's Stadium at (585) 454-KICK.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 23, 2015
- Chicago Seals First Ever NWSL Playoff Berth Behind Flash Draw - Chicago Red Stars
- Scoreless Draw in Chicago Ends Flash's Bid for Postseason Play - Western New York Flash
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