NWSL Washington Spirit

Spirit Drop Points on the Road against the Flash

Published on May 23, 2015 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release


ROCHESTER, NY (May 23, 2015) - The Western New York Flash (2-3-1, 7 points) defeated the Washington Spirit (3-3-1, 10 points) at Sahlen's Stadium on a chilly evening in Rochester. The Flash displayed a solid performance on their home field, with three different Flash players finding the back of the net.

During the first ten minutes both Spirit goalkeeper Kelsey Wys and Flash goalkeeper Robyn Horner saw considerable action with Spirit forward Crystal Dunn and Flash forward Jasmyne Spencer making several dangerous runs in behind their respective backlines.

The Flash went on the board in the 10th minute after Spencer nicked a loose ball in the midfield and played a one time through ball to Lynn Williams who weaved through the Spirit backline, drew Wys off her line, and slotted her shot easily across into the goal.

In the 20th minute, Becky Edwards was charged with a handball in the box. Nairn stepped up to take the penalty and sent it directly down the middle to equalize the score at 1-1. Horner misread Nairn's shot and moved slightly to the right and watched Nairn's effort sail into the Flash goal.

In the 34th minute, the Flash regained the lead after Becky Edwards' service from the corner found Samantha Mewis whose header slipped beyond Wys. The Spirit closed the second half strongly as Crystal Dunn nearly broke free on goal after drawing Horner off her line, but Flash defender Jaelene Hinkle did well to muscle Dunn off the ball.

The Spirit drew level, again, in the 55th minute thanks to a beautifully placed pass by Nairn set Dunn off to the races. Dunn placed her shot in the right side of the net to notch her fifth goal of the 2015 NWSL season.

A couple minutes later, the Flash responded with their own perfectly weighted ball into the box by Kristen Edmonds. Spencer made an incredible leap, rising above both Spirit defenders to head the ball into the back of the net and regain the lead for the Flash in the 57th minute.

Western New York goalkeeper Horner, on her National Women's Soccer League debut, recorded six saves and secured a 3-2 victory for the Flash, their second of the season.

Next week the Spirit will be back home on May 30th at 7:00 p.m. as they take on Portland Thorns FC (2-1-2, 8 points) for the second time this season.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 23, 2015


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