The Western New York Flash saw four different goal scorers as they shutout visiting West Virginia University 4-0 in the team’s first preseason game of 2015.
“I’m excited about the group’s chemistry; we created a lot of opportunities,” said Flash general manager and head coach Aaran Lines. “I thought our young players came in there and did a very good job in their first outing – especially considering they’ve only been here for five days. These are early days, but there were a lot of encouraging signs that will give us confidence as we build toward the opening day of the season.”
Creating chemistry is key for the Flash, who are undergoing an extensive rebuild from their disappointing 2014 season.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
Though the Flash saw many quality chances in the first half, the team didn’t get on the board until the 44th minute. Midfielder Samantha Mewis, in her first appearance for Western New York, took advantage of a free kick 25-yards out, driving a shot around the WVU wall and into the left side of the net.
It didn’t take the Flash long to double its lead, scoring again at the 53-minute mark. After switching from defense to forward, Kristen Edmonds capitalized on a driven Amber Brooks’ cross, running the ball into the net at the left post.
More from NWSL
- Angel City: A bit of women led magic brought to your TV screen
- Dr. Cindy Chang is NWSL’s first Chief Medical Officer
- Why the NWSL Challenge Cup final start time is absurd
- Electric evening for NWSL’s historic California debut
- Washington Spirit’s Trinity Rodman is more than her father’s daughter
Up 2-0, defender Jaelene Hinkle provided consecutive assists from the left side, leading to the four-goal win. In the 61st minute, Hinkle drove the ball into the penalty area, finding forward Jasmyne Spencer who stabbed the ball in with her right foot. Just eight minutes later, Hinkle found Lynn Williams open on the opposite post. Williams allowed the ball to bounce then calmly slotted it past the Mountaineer’s goalkeeper.
With just three players from the 2014 roster suiting up for Saturday’s preseason game, Lines was happy with the contributions from rookies as well as the on-field rapport that has quickly built between newcomers and veteran players.
“I thought Jae had a very good performance and it was good to see Sam get on the scoresheet,” Lines added. “Becky Edwards was solid and is developing a good relationship in the midfield with Brooks and Sam; the chemistry between centerbacks Brittany Taylor and Abby Dahlkemper is also encouraging to see. Today, we could also see a nice partnership developing with Lynn Williams and Jasmyne Spencer up top.”
Mewis had a number of opportunities in the early minutes, first carrying the ball through three Mountaineer defenders before trying her hand at a shot from 20-yards out. Moments later, she and Williams nearly completed a give-and-go but the final touch from Mewis was a bit too hard and fell to the goalkeeper.
Mewis again came close in the 29th minute on a play started by college teammate Dahlkemper. From the backline, Dahlkemper sent a well-paced long ball to Hinkle running up the left flank, who eventually found Mewis open inside. The midfielder’s shot looked like it was headed for the back of the net, but Michelle Newhouse tipped it away to keep the game at 0-0.
The forward duo of Williams and Spencer was active all game, with both players using their speed to beat the defense multiple times. Twenty-eight minutes in, Williams was found unmarked by Hinkle at the top of the penalty area. The Pepperdine product used a quick touch to find a shooting lane, but Newhouse came up with the save.
Entering as a substitute in the second half, Mami Yamaguchi’s headed attempt was denied by the woodwork in the 64th minute on cross from Edwards.
Near the end of the game, the Flash were granted a penalty kick after a West Virginia hand ball in the box, but second-half keeper Hannah Steadman punched away Dahlkemper’s shot with a diving save to the right.
Flash goalkeepers Sabrina D’Angelo and DiDi Haracic shared time between the pipes, with West Virginia’s best opportunity coming early in the game. Midfielder Amanda Hill took a distance shot, looking to test D’Angelo but the attempt hit off the top of the crossbar.
The Flash will play two additional preseason games, next returning to action on March 28 when the team hosts Syracuse University at 10:30 a.m. at Sahlen Sports Park. The Flash then wrap up preseason on April 4, traveling to face Penn State at Penn State-Altoona.
Season ticket, Mini and Flex-8 packages are currently available for purchase at wnyflash.com or by calling the Flash at (716) 655-PLAY. Individual game tickets will go on sale Monday, March 30.
WNY FLASH LINEUP
D’Angelo (Haracic, 75); Edmonds (Rijsdijk, 62), Taylor, Dahlkemper, Hinkle (Hudson, 71); Angeli (Brigman, 45), Brooks, Mewis (Yamaguchi, 62), Edwards (Stewart, 71); Spencer (Hamilton, 71), Williams
GOALS 1 2 F
West Virginia Univ. 0 0 0
Western New York 1 3 4
SCORING SUMMARY
Goal Time Team Goal Scorer Assist
1 44 Western New York Samantha Mewis
2 53 Western New York Kristen Edmonds Amber Brooks
3 61 Western New York Jasmyne Spencer Jaelene Hinkle
4 69 Western New York Lynn Williams Jaelene Hinkle