With the anticipation of having Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, and Hope Solo all at Starfire Stadium fans poured out to Starfire to watch some of the national team perform.
As the sun was setting the Western New York Flash and Seattle Reign both took the field in front of a full crowd. Early on in the 5th minute Carli Lloyd of Flash ripped a shot that Hope Solo had to react quickly and smother . A short two minutes later Jess Fishlock recieved the ball in the attacking third and noticed that Flash goalkeeper Adrianna Franch was off her line, Fishlock tried to take advantage of the setting sun and attempted to chip Franch. Fishlock was denied and the game remained at zeros. In the 10th minute a Flash defender played a long ball to center forward Wambach who out ran Kyle of the Reign. Wambach remained calm and squeezed the ball by Solo to put Flash in the lead. Reign responded well and in the 14th minute Fishlock found the ball in a scramble in front of net and ripped a shot into the net to bring the game to ones. The Reign kept peppering the Flash goal with shots but were unsuccessful in taking the lead until the 44th minute. Flash keeper, Franch had a poor clearance that found its way to Rapinoes’ feet. Rapinoe skillfully placed the ball into the net to put the Reign in the lead 2-1. The game would go to half time in favor of the Reign 2-1.
With the Flash being down a goal they came into the second half with great intensity. Right away they were testing Solo who had to tip the ball over the crossbar in the 46th minute. In the 48th minute Kaitlyn Kyle of the Reign drug down Wambach in the eighteen-yard box. The Flash was awarded a penalty kick, which Wambach took, and successfully finished. With the game even at 2-2 both teams were looking to find the third goal to take the lead. In the 67th minute McDonald of the Reign had a fabulous header but Franch came up big with a big save to keep the game tied. In the 82nd minute Nairn intercepted a pass from the Flash defense and found her teammate Reed who came streaking in at the back post. Reed remained composed and placed the ball into the net to take the lead for the Reign. In the 88th minute Reed who put her team in the lead, was able to keep her team in the lead with an amazing save off the goal line. The Reign remained calm and maintained their 3-2 lead. The game would end in favor of the reign 3-2.
The Reign return to Starfire Stadium on Sunday at 5:30 pm to take on Washington Spirit. The game will be nationally televised on Fox Soccer but come experience the game live at Starfire Sports! Click here to buy your tickets for Sunday.
