If the Washington Spirit haven’t already they should make a small donation to the company that provides the National Women’s Soccer League their goals. Despite facing immense pressure from the Western New York Flash on Friday night at Sahlen Stadium, the Spirit were able to hold on to an early 1-0 lead thanks to two lucky hits of the post. With luck on their side the Spirit were able to pull past the Flash late by the score of 3-0.
After two consecutive weeks of uneven performances up top Spirit coach Jim Gabarra made a tactical switch on Friday, inserting Cheyna Williams in for Katie Stengel at forward. With Williams playing behind Dunn Gabarra was able to move midfielder Christine Nairn more towards the right flank. This move in turn freed forward Diana Matheson up to take more shots.
By overloading Flash left back Jaelene Hinkle the hope was that the Spirit could break their opponents early without causing any damage to their defense. This tactical decision paid just four minutes into the match with Matheson finishing off a series of passes from Dunn and Nairn.
Despite the Spirit drawing the first goal it would be the Flash would dominate possession throughout the first half. Just four minutes after Matheson’s goal Flash defender Samantha Mewis would hit a shot from just beyond the eighteen yard box. However, Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe was more than up for the task making a fingertip save to parry the shot over the bar.
On the ensuing corner kick Flash midfielder Abby Dahlkemper would once again test Labbe. Once again the Canadian international would keep the Spirit ahead with another save over the bar.
The Spirit defense would finally get some respite on the ensuing corner kick when the defense would make a decisive clear out of the box. After a few tense moments early on the Spirit defense would buckle down minimizing the Flash’s ability on the counter-attack.
At the beginning of the second half the Flash would have another opportunity to draw level after Spirit defender Megan Oyster was called for a foul inside the penalty box. Mewis’ penalty kick beat Labbe but would hit the post and be cleared away by the Spirit defense.
The Spirit’s goalpost would play a critical role in stopping another Flash opportunity in the 53rd minute. Forward Taylor Smith’s made an excellent diagonal run and broke past the Spirit defense. Much like the Mewis shot in the 49th minute she was able to beat Labbe by going towards the post but went too close to the post to avoid the deflection.
After dodging two bullets the Spirit would capitalize on their own goal-scoring opportunity in the 70th minute. After Flash defender Jaelene Hinkle was charged with a violent conduct foul inside of her own penalty box, Matheson would slot home her second goal of the match.
The Spirit would add to their lead late when Flash defender Elizabeth Eddy would knock in a free kick from Nairn into the back of her own net.
Despite outshooting the Spirit 16-7 and having an 11-2 advantage in corner kicks taken missed opportunities and mental mistakes would prove costly for the Flash. They will look to turn things around next Saturday when they travel to New Jersey to take on their regional rivals Sky Blue FC.
As for Washington they will head home next Saturday to host Portland Thorns FC. Both matches will take place at 7pm and be shown on the NWSL’s YouTube channel.
Washington Spirit- Christina Labbe, Alyssa Kleiner, Shelina Zadorsky, Megan Oyster, Ali Krieger, Christine Nairn, Tori Huster, Joanna Lohman (Katie Stengel 62′), Diana Matheson (Whitney Church 84′), Crystal Dunn, and Cheyna Williams (Cali Farquharson 77′)
Goals- Matheson (4′ and 71′)
Western New York Flash- Sabrina D’Angelo, Elizabeth Eddy, Alanna Kennedy, Lynn Williams, Sam Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper, Jaelene Hinkle, Halimatu Ayinde (46′ Adriana Leon) , Abby Erceg, Makenzy Doniak (84′ Lady Andrade), Taylor Smith (77′ Kristen Hamilton)
Goals-Eddy (own goal 82′)
Yellow Card- Eddy (70′)
Washington Spirit
Western New York Flash
