WNY Flash Defeat NY Fury to Advance to Championship on Saturday
July 26, 2012
Thumbnail photo is courtesy of the WNY Flash
Buffalo, NY-(July 25, 2012) The Western New York Flash of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite came from behind to defeat the NY Fury 2-1 in the semifinal on July 25 at Sahlen’s Stadium.
The Flash fell behind early in the 8th minute after NY Fury’s Allie Long scored off a corner kick. The Fury continued to control majority of the first half, and Fury goalkeeper Michelle Betos prevented any Flash chances of equalizing. The team was able to regroup at half and started to press the NY Fury at the start of the second half.
There were two key offensive substitutions in the 74th minute that helped shift the momentum in the favor for the Flash. Head Coach Aaran Lines brought on Canadian International Jodi-Ann Robinson who caused the Fury havoc from the moment she came on the field, as well as rookie Laura Heyboer. Robinson played a left footed cross to midfielder Kary Frierson who was making a run across the goal, and Frierson was able to slot it past Betos to equalize the score in the 78th minute. Just two minutes later, Frierson would play a driven ball from the left side into the box to Laura Heyboer, who beat her defender and redirected the ball out of Betos’s reach.
“[Heyboer] is a sneaky player,” Frierson said, “She made a great hard run.” Heyboer added that the pace that Frierson put on the ball made her job all that easier. “It was easier for me to redirect,” Heyboer said.
Prior to getting on the pitch, Coach Lines just told the substitutes what he always tells them when they enter the game. “He said, ‘Make an impact,’” Heyboer stated. “I try to make my 15 minutes the worst that that defender has ever seen.”
The Flash will now play in the Championship on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium. The Flash will play the Chicago Red Stars who defeated the Boston Breakers 3-1 in the second semifinal game that followed the Flash-Fury game.
The WNY Flash play for its third straight title in three different leagues, previously winning in the W-League in 2010 and the WPS in 2011.
For tickets or for more information on the Championship match, please call 585-454-KICK or visit our website www.wnyflash.com.
Add a Comment
Please be civil.