Washington Spirit Falls to Seattle Reign FC 2-0 on the Road

Washington Spirit  |   September 12, 2016
Washington Spirit Falls to Seattle Reign FC 2-0 on the Road Featured Image

Photo Credit: Jane Gershovich/ISI Photos

SEATTLE, Wa (Sept. 11, 2016)- The Seattle Reign FC (7-6-6, 27 pts) defeated the Washington Spirit (12-4-3, 39 pts) 2-0 in Memorial Stadium in Seattle in front of 4,574 fans. Goals from Seattle veterans Beverly Yanez and Keelin Winters kept the Reign alive in its playoff race.

The first goal of the match came in the 27th minute when Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock sent a perfectly placed ball to Megan Rapinoe as she made a  quick-paced run down the left flank. Rapinoe sent a pass across the face of the net to Yanez who stood wide open after a far-post run on the right side. Yanez easily tapped the ball into the back of the net, giving the Reign the early lead.

In the 78th minute, Winters earned a memorable goal. In the Reign Captain’s last home game before she retires after this season, Winters drilled a shot into the lower left corner of the net past an outstretched Kelsey Wys. Despite her best efforts, the shot proved much too powerful for Wys to get a hand on.

The Spirit’s two best opportunities of the night arose amidst chaos in the six yard box. The first came in the 41st minute when Joanna Lohman found herself with the ball just feet away from Reign goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer. Several players took touches and shots on the ball, but all chances proved futile as the Spirit was not able to break down the Reign’s defense.

Similarly, in the 89th minute, several players including defender Estelle Johnson, who had a couple dangerous shots tonight, had chances in the penalty box. However, after several shots and deflections, no Spirit players were able to capitalize.

The Spirit will conclude its regular season on the road as the team takes on the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, September 24 at 8 p.m. ET. A win in Chicago would earn the Spirit the NWSL Shield. The Spirit will then return to the Maryland SoccerPlex on either Friday, September 30 or Saturday, October 1 for the first home playoff in franchise history.

NWSL Match Report
Match: Seattle Reign vs. Washington Spirit
Date: September 11, 2016
Venue: Memorial Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Attendance: 4,574
Weather: Mid 70s, partly cloudy

Washington Spirit Lineup: 18- Kelsey Wys; 3- Caprice Dydasco, 24- Estelle Johnson, 11- Ali Krieger, 5- Whitney Church; 15- Joanna Lohman (8- Diana Matheson 76′), 27- Line Sigvardsen Jensen (7- Christine Nairn 46′), 23- Tori Huster; 14- Francisca Ordega, 12- Katie Stengel, 22- Alyssa Kleiner (20- Cheyna Williams 69′)

Subs not used: 1- Stephanie Labbé, 4- Megan Oyster, 19- Crystal Dunn, 6- Shelina Zadorsky 
Head coach: Jim Gabarra
Seattle Reign Lineup: 28- Haley Kopmeyer; 3- Lauren Barnes, 9- Merritt Mathias, 13- Kendall Fletcher, 20- Rumi Utsugi; 8- Kim Little, 10- Jessica Fishlock, 11- Keelin Winters; 14 Manon Melis (36-Nahomi Kawasumi 65′), 15- Megan Rapinoe (16- Carson Pickett 74′), 17- Beverly Yanez (25- Kiersten Dallstream 86′)

Subs not used: 6- Lindsay Elston, 19- Havana Solaun, 24- Andi Tostanoski, 7 – Elli Reed 
Head coach: Laura Harvey

Team 1 2 Final
Seattle Reign  1  1  2
Washington Spirit  0  0  0
SCORING SUMMARY
Goal Time Team Goal Scorer Assist
 1 27 Seattle Beverly Yanez Megan Rapinoe
 2 78 Seattle Keelin Winters Nahomi Kawasumi
CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS
Time Team ## Player Card Reason

 

Stats Summary: SEA/WAS
Shots: 23/10
Shots on Goal: 14/6
Saves: 6/12
Corner Kicks: 3/8
Fouls: 7/10
Offside: 4/1

Officials:
Referee: Greg Dopka
Assistant Referees: TJ Zablocki, Becky Pagan 
Fourth Official: Kelsey Harms

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