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Wambach scores pair of goals in win

August 8, 2009 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
magicJack News Release


BOYDS, Md. (August 8, 2009) - Two goals and an assist from forward Abby Wambach propelled the Washington Freedom (8-7-5) to a 3-1 win over Sky Blue FC (7-8-5) on Saturday night at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

With the win, Washington clinches a playoff spot and the third seed in the WPS Playoffs, meaning they will host next week's first round match against either Sky Blue FC or the Boston Breakers August 15 at 4:00 p.m.

If Boston wins against Los Angeles tomorrow evening, they will take the final playoff spot. If they lose or tie, Sky Blue FC snatches the final playoff ticket.

"We have won three in a row at home and are playing our best soccer of the season," said Washington Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra. "Trending upward as a team heading into the playoffs is great and being able to play at home is huge for us."

The U.S. international forward opened her scoring ledger in the 19th minute, re-directing a Rebecca Moros cross from the right wing into the back of the net.

In the 44th minute, Sky Blue FC's Rosana got loose down the right wing and cracked a shot from about 12 yards out, but Freedom goalkeeper Erin McLeod leapt to her right and parried the shot over the goal.

Washington doubled their lead in the 48th minute. Lisa De Vanna weaved past a pair of Sky Blue FC defenders to gain the end line, then played a fine ball back across the mouth of the goal. Wambach easily tapped the ball in from two yards.

Rosana brought Sky Blue FC back within one with a 23-yard bomb to the top left corner of the goal in the 53rd minute. But the Freedom struck back four minutes later, when the combination from the second goal flipped: this time it was Wambach serving a great ball from the right side to set up a smart finish from the Australian ace De Vanna.

In the 64th minute, Kai penetrated the Freedom defense and fired a shot, which McLeod got a glove on. Becky Sauerbrunn finished the job with a header off the line to preserve the two-goal lead.

Since scoring her 100th international goal Wambach has been on a tear in WPS play, scoring five goals in four games.



Women's Professional Soccer Stories from August 8, 2009


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