2011 WPS Championship: Flash vs. Independence Recap

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Penalty kicks and drama in championship matches have been the norm in 2011. The WPS Championship in Rochester was no different in front of a championship record crowd of 10,461.

The first half set a physical tone for the championship. Both sides were stymied by each other's defense and offered minimal opportunities to score. The half only saw one shot on goal and Philadelphia's Tasha Kai suffered an injury after a collision in the first 45 but stayed on the pitch for the Independence.

The biggest action of the first half may have been a pesky squirrel refusing to leave the pitch and causing a delay. After a few minutes a couple of workers managed to escort the spectator off and resume play.

The second half of the match started much like the first. Physical and defensive. However, the league's top offense got on the board when Christine Sinclair put the Flash out in front in the 64' minute (Chapman assist). In the 73' Philadelphia made some personnel changes as they subbed in Laura del Rio for Tina DiMartino and Danesha Adams came on for the banged up Tasha Kai. After the substitutions Philadelphia came with a new spark.

Despite more chances WPS Goalkeeper of the Year Ashlyn Harris and the Flash defense continued to keep the Independence off the board. However, in the 88' Amy Rodriguez fired a rebound shot in to the back of the net to knot the score up.

Regulation ended with the score tied at 1-1.

The Independence controlled the first frame of extra time but could not come away with a score. Throughout extra time Amy Rodriguez had chances to secure a championship for Philadelphia but continued to miss the frame.

At the start of the second extra time period the Western New York Flash made their final substitution by putting in McCall Zerboni and taking off young star Alex Morgan. The Flash would need the fresh legs because in the 108' Beverly Goebel picked up her second yellow after a foul to prevent a counter-attack. With Goebel off the Flash were forced to play 10-on-11.

Philadelphia came with a relentless attack but could not capitalize on the advantage given to them. The score remained 1-1 at the end of extra time.

The high stakes drama from earlier this summer continued in the WPS Championship with more penalty kicks.

The Flash were put on the ball first as they sent the Golden Boot winner Marta to the line. Independence keeper Nicole Barnhart nearly made the save but Marta put the Flash up 1-0. Philadelphia quickly equalized on a Lianne Sanderson shot. Christine Sinclair would come up next for the Flash. Sinclair shared the league lead in goals with her teammate, Marta, this season. Once again Barnhart came close to making a great save but to no avail.

Danesha Adams made it 2-2 and McCall Zerboni made it 3-2 for the Flash once more. Leigh Ann Robinson, the first defender to shoot in the shootout, put the shot on goal but Harris hit it with her glove. It all but looked like a save until the ball took a favorable bounce for Philadelphia and shot back in to the net to even the shootout at three.

Caroline Seger, Flash captain, continued the streak and made it an easy 4-3. WPS Player of the Year Vero Boquete came through for the Independence and put the pressure back on Western New York. The fifth and final Flash player was Yael Averbuch who made it a clean sweep for the Flash.

Laura del Rio stepped forth as the final Independence shooter. As she made her shot Harris guessed the right direction and made an excellent championship save for Western New York. The celebration was on for the 2011 WPS Champions – The Western New York Flash!


Stats (WNY-PHI)
Shots: 10-12
Shots on Goal: 5-2
Fouls: 12-9
Offsides: 3-2
Corner Kicks: 14-2
Saves: 1-4

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This post is related to an ongoing story:

• 2011 WPS Playoffs

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ISoini says:

The Flash were put on the ball first as they sent the Golden Boot winner Marta to the line. Independence keeper Nicole Barnhart nearly made the save but Marta put the Flash up 1-0. Philadelphia quickly equalized on a Lianne Sanderson shot. Christine Sinclair would come up next for the Flash. Sinclair shared the league lead in goals with her teammate, Marta, this season. Once again Barnhart came close to making a great save but to no avail.Cool

Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 10:35am EDT

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