Western New York Flash Tops Sky Blue, 4-1
Published on July 30, 2011 under Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Western New York Flash News Release
Piscataway, N.J. - The Western New York Flash (9-2-3, 30 points) of Women's Professional Soccer defeated Sky Blue FC (5-6-4, 19 points) in front of 5,065 fans at Yurcak Field on Saturday night. The win puts the Flash in a tie with the Philadelphia Independence for first place, with the Flash having one game in hand.
The Flash took little time to create the first opportunity in the match, when 25 seconds in after the opening kickoff Canadian international Christine Sinclair raced down the left flank and was quickly fed the ball. Finding some space in front of her, she then fired a shot that hit the far post and nearly gave the Flash the early lead.
In the 22nd minute of this contest, the first goal of the evening was put on the board once Swedish International Terese Sjogran gained possession after chasing down a ball on the right side of the Western New York 18-yard box. She then cut to her left and found Adriana streaking down the center of the penalty area, quickly sending distribution her way. As soon as the Spanish striker collected the ball, she took one touch and then slid a shot under the outstretched body of goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris.
WNY responded quickly as seven minutes later midfielder McCall Zerboni started a diagonal run with the ball at her feet towards the Sky Blue FC frame. Sky Blue goalkeeper Jenni Branam closed in on the near-side post, but Zerboni found just enough space and snuck a hard, well placed shot past Branam on the post she was protecting.
That notch triggered an offensive explosion for the Flash, as the visiting club saw itself tally three goals in just under nine minutes of play. The second goal for Western New York came in the 35th minute on a play that started off the right foot of midfielder Yael Averbuch. The Upper Montclair, New Jersey, native delivered a pass over to two-time WPS MVP Marta, who quickly settled on the right side of the box before firing a well struck shot past Branam and into the left-side netting.
Three minutes later, the Flash made it 3-1 following a free kick by defender Candace Chapman connected to fellow Canadian Sinclair's head for her league leading ninth goal of the season.
That 3-1 count would remain standing when the two sides broke for intermission. The second half of action did not see the same amount of offensive chances created as it did in the first 45 minutes of this contest. Sky Blue FC fought to find opportunities for itself, while the Flash slowed down its possession since it held a two-goal edge. However, Western New York was able to increase its lead to the final count of 4-1 following a stoppage time goal by second half substitute Alex Morgan. After being delivered a feed from midfielder Beverly Goebel, the U.S. National Team forward ran towards the 18-yard box and caught Branam cheating off her line. With the Sky Blue FC netminder off her post, Morgan chipped a shot over the head of Branam, and the ball curled into the goal. That tally would be the final notch in this contest, hanging a 4-1 count in favor of the Flash.
Women's Professional Soccer Stories from July 30, 2011
- Western New York Flash Tops Sky Blue, 4-1 - Western New York Flash
- Capacity Crowd Turns Out for Home Finale - Sky Blue FC
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