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NWSL Washington Spirit

Washington Spirit Clinches Home Playoff with 2-1 Win over Seattle Reign

September 8, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release


BOYDS, Md.- Forward Crystal Dunn led the Washington Spirit (12-3-3, 39 points) to a 2-1, lightning-filled win past the Seattle Reign (6-6-6, 24 points) Wednesday night at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The victory clinched the first home playoff game in franchise history. [PHOTO] (Mandatory credit Tony Quinn/ISI Photos)

Dunn entered the match in the sixth minute for an injured Cali Farquharson and was involved in both goals, the first coming right before halftime and the second coming six minutes before the second lightning delay.

As first-half stoppage time drew to a close, the Spirit drew a foul near midfield. Christine Nairn played the free kick along the ground on the right flank to Dunn. She cut inside on her left foot and fired a shot from the top of the box that hit off the bottom of the crossbar and into the net, giving Seattle goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer no shot at a save.

The second Spirit goal came in similar fashion, with Dunn once again cutting in from the right and firing a shot towards goal. Kopmeyer got her hands on the shot, but could not control the save. Cheyna Williams swooped in and buried the rebound for a 2-0 lead.

Seattle midfielder Kim Little pulled one back for the Reign in the 71st minute, placing a penalty to the top left corner after a Nairn handball in the box.

Two minutes before the Williams goal, goalkeeper Kelsey Wys came up with a point-blank save on a Naho Kawasumi header to keep things at 1-0.

Washington hits the road for the final two games of the regular season, traveling to Seattle to take on the Reign on Sunday, September 11 and to Chicago to face the Red Stars on Saturday, September 24.

NWSL Match Report

Match: Washington Spirit vs. Seattle Reign

Date: September 7, 2016

Venue: Maryland SoccerPlex

Kickoff: 8 p.m.

Attendance: 3,039

Weather: Mid 70s, scattered thunderstorms

Washington Spirit Lineup: 18- Kelsey Wys; 3- Caprice Dydasco, 6- Shelina Zadorsky, 22- Alyssa Kleiner, 24- Estelle Johnson; 7- Christine Nairn, 8- Diana Matheson (15- Joanna Lohman 57'), 27- Line Sigvardsen Jensen; 14- Francisca Ordega, 17- Cali Farquharson (19- Crystal Dunn 5'), 20- Cheyna Williams (11- Ali Krieger ‚¬Ëœ83)

Subs not used: 1- Stephanie Labbé, 4- Megan Oyster, 12 Katie Stengel, 23- Tori Huster

Head coach: Jim Gabarra

Seattle Reign Lineup: 28- Haley Kopmeyer; 3- Lauren Barnes, 9- Merritt Mathias, 13- Kendall Fletcher, 20- Rumi Utsugi; 8- Kim Little, 10- Jessica Fishlock, 11- Keelin Winters (25- Kiersten Dallstream ‚¬Ëœ69); 14 Manon Melis (15- Megan Rapinoe ‚¬Ëœ58), 17- Beverly Yanez, 36- Naho Kawasumi (7- Elli Reed '83)

Subs not used: 6- Lindsay Elston, 16- Carson Pickett, 19- Havana Solaun, 24- Andi Tostanoski,

Head coach: Laura Harvey

Stats Summary: WAS/SEA

Shots: 12/9

Shots on Goal: 8/4

Saves: 3/6

Corner Kicks: 6/4

Fouls: 9/7

Offside: 4/5

Officials:

Referee: Guido Gonzalez Jr.

Assistant Referees: Amanda Ross, Jordan Gray

Fourth Official: Gary Gutierrez

Check out the Washington Spirit Statistics

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