Women's Soccer News: Western New York Flash Defeat Chicago Red Stars in Important WPSL Elite Match

Win Propels Flash into Tie for First Place with Final Match against Boston Breakers on July 22

Coming off a confidence-building 5-0 win over FC Indiana on Thursday, July 12, the Western New York Flash looked to continue their unbeaten Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite League streak as they took on the Chicago Red Stars and defeated them 2-1.

The game started fast for the Flash, with a chance for a goal in the first minute. Spanish international Adriana was played a ball and went one on one with the goalkeeper. Her shot was saved by Red Stars’ keeper Jamie Forbes, who would continue to make critical saves for Chicago throughout the game.

The Flash's next chance came when Captain McCall Zerboni chipped a ball forward that was headed back into Chicago’s net by one of its own defenders. The referee denied the goal and instead gave the WNY Flash a free kick. Following that controversial denied goal, the WNY Flash started to gain more possession.

In the 42nd minute, a handball was called against Chicago, inches outside the 18-yard box. The Flash’s leading goal scorer Adriana took the direct kick, and rocketed the ball into the upper 90 to give the Flash a 1-0 lead. That goal gave the striker sole possession of scoring lead in the WPSL Elite league with 13 goals.

Within a minute of that goal, Chicago would score a goal off of one of their flip throw-ins. The goal was taken back by the referees, due to interference with Flash goalkeeper Ali Lipsher, and the half ended with the Flash leading 1-0.

In the 75th minute, Adriana chased a loose ball, forcing Chicago’s Forbes off her line. Forbes punched the ball out and WNY Flash’s midfielder Katy Frierson half volleyed the ball over Forbes and into the net to bring the Flash to a 2-0 lead. Chicago would respond shortly after in the 78th minute with a goal from Lauren Alkek, marking just the seventh goal scored against the WNY Flash this season.

Chicago continued to press the WNY Flash defense, but the back line and keeper Lipsher continued to clear balls out. The Flash are now unbeaten in 11 straight games.

The next game for the Flash (9-1-3) takes place at Sahlen Stadium, 460 Oak Street, in Rochester N.Y. on Sunday, July 22 at 4 p.m. versus the other number-one seeded team, the Boston Breakers. This last regular season game is the Flash’s Pink game, to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Players’ pink jerseys will be auctioned off, along with player baskets.

The game could determine sole possession of first place going into the playoffs, which are also to be held at Sahlen’s Stadium starting July 25 with the championship on July 28. 

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