Wny Flash Hope to Close Gap on First Place
July 7, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ROCHESTER, NY --- The Western New York Flash (7-4-0) will hope that their offensive success carries over to Frontier Field as they play host to Seattle Reign FC (4-3-4) when soccer makes a return to the stadium for the first time since 2005.
The Flash have not played Seattle yet this season, but will play them twice in two weeks as the Flash will travel out west next week for the second half of a home-and-home series.
The Flash have been firing on all cylinders on offense, scoring nine goals in the past two games. Forward Jessica McDonald followed up a four-point game against Boston with two assists in the 2-0 win over Chicago. Fellow forward Lynn Williams scored her sixth goal of the year, moving her to the top of the league in goals scored, and newcomer Lianne Sanderson scored her first goal just 37 minutes into her first start with the Flash. Katelyn Rowland got her second win of the season in net after making four saves and recording a clean sheet.
Seattle enters the match on the heels of a 2-0 home victory over Boston in Week 11. Nahomi "Naho" Kawasumi scored a brace in her return to the team. Haley Kopmeyer replaced Hope Solo in net for Seattle, as Solo left to join the United States National Team for training in Colorado. Kopmeyer made three saves in the win.
After eleven matches, the Flash are in sole possession of second place in the NWSL table with 21 points, sitting five points behind undefeated first-place Portland Thorns FC. Seattle sits in fifth place with 16 points, but can make a move into fourth with a win and a Chicago loss or tie.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first soccer game played at Frontier Field. To commemorate this, Rochester soccer legends will be honorary captains pre-game, will do the coin toss, and will be part of a special Q&A at halftime hosted by Jeff DiVeronica of the Democrat & Chronicle. Guests include Frank DuRoss (original Rhinos owner), Steve Donner (original Rhinos owner), "Soccer Sam" Fantauzzo, Doug Miller (leading goal scorer in Rhino history), Craig Demmin, Mike Kirmse, Yuri Lavrynenko, a nd Tommy Tanner (former Rhinos Captain).
The match kicks off at 7:00 pm ET at Frontier Field, located at 1 Morrie Silver Way in downtown Rochester, NY. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free soccer pack courtesy of RTS, and there will be post-game fireworks for all in attendance. Tickets are available at wnyflash.com/tickets and a live stream of the match will be available on youtube.com/NWSL.
• Discuss this story on the National Women's Soccer League message board...
National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 7, 2016
- Sky Blue FC Places Forward Kim DeCesare on 45-Day Disabled List - Sky Blue FC
- Wny Flash Hope to Close Gap on First Place - Western New York Flash
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
