The Western New York Flash of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite League defeated the Philadelphia Fever 2-0 to make it their seventh straight game without a loss. The Flash welcomed back U.S. Women’s National Team members Lori Lindsey and Meghan Klingenberg to their roster as well as U.S. U-23 National Team members Stephanie Ochs and Toni Pressley.
The WNY Flash dominated possession throughout the game, with the Fever putting all their numbers behind the ball in an effort to thwart the Flash offensive attacks.
The Flash’s head coach, Aaran Lines, knew that was the Fever’s strategy going into the game, since the Flash had played them in Philadelphia earlier this week. “We knew it was going to be like this,” Lines said, “that they would park two buses in their 18.”
Lines said that Spanish international, Adriana unlocked the game for the Flash with a “quality goal” in the first half. In the 27th minute Adriana received a simple pass from Katy Frierson. Adriana took a shot from 25 yards out that landed in the top left corner of the goal. With that, Adriana became the WPSL Elite’s leading goal scorer with eight goals.
The Flash continued to dominate possession into the second half. Early on, in the 49th minute, Frierson chipped a ball up to Klingenberg who then chipped it over Philadelphia’s keeper, Michelle Dalton.
“It was such a good ball from Frierson,” Klingenberg said of her first goal of the season. The National Team members return to Olympic duty after one more game with the Flash on Sunday, but both are grateful for their experience with the WNY Flash.
“They’ve been great with us coming in and out,” Lindsey said, “They are very supportive.”
While the two internationals have only been with the Flash for a short time, Klingenberg admitted that gaining minutes and more experience is invaluable. Coach Lines also said having the USWNT members here was good for the fans.
“Having Lori and Kling here is fantastic for the fans of Western New York,” Lines said.
Both Klingenberg and Lindsey were substituted out in the 57th minute. Lines said that one of the team’s strengths is the depth of the roster. He also admitted that a lot of his youngest players have stepped up to the plate.
“Frierson—two weeks ago she wasn’t in the lineup,” Lines said. “Now it’s difficult to take her out of the lineup.”
The Flash back four of Tori Huster, Katherine Reynolds, Nikki Marshall and Alex Sahlen did not allow the Fever a single shot or corner kick, allowing for an easy night for goalkeeper Brittany Cameron. The Flash have not conceded a goal in the last four matches. This win propels the Flash to a 6-1-2 record, good for 20 points. The next game for the Flash is at the New England Mutiny on Sunday, June 24, at 5 p.m.
