< Back to News Home WNY Flash Crowned WPSL Elite Champs

Posted (07/29/2012) -

The Western New York Flash of the Women’s Premier Soccer League Elite (WPSL) came from behind to defeat the Chicago Red Stars in penalty kicks in the Championship game on July 27 at Sahlen’s Stadium to claim its third straight title.

 

The game started out very physical with both sides Sharing possession. Injuries plagued both sides as Flash striker Omolyn Davis came out of the game in the 19th minute just after Spanish International Adriana crossed a ball and Davis was unable to get her header on frame. The Red Stars would also lose key players, as Captain Lori Chalupny sprained her ankle and Ella Masar pulled her hamstring at the same time. The Red Stars would strike first in the  40th minute off one of Chicago's dangerous flip throws . WNY Flash keeper Brittany Cameron lost hold of the ball and Chicago’s Ashleigh Ellenwood pounced on the ball inside the six yard box and passed the ball in the net to give the Red Stars a 1-0 lead. 

 

The Flash came out in the second half pushing numbers forward and sending balls into the box but were unable to convert. The flash were then hit with another blow as US U-23 National Team player Stephanie Ochs collided with a Red Stars defender and had to leave the match in just the 63rd minute.  Flash goalkeeper Cameron kept the Flash in the game with some huge saves as the Flash left only 2 defenders back to try and equalize. Due to Ochs' injury, the referees added 6 minutes of stoppage time to the game. In the dying moments of stoppage time substitute Toni Pressley received a pass from Canadian International Jodi-Ann Robinson and struck a left footed shot from outside of the box. The ball hit the crossbar and went over the line to send the game into overtime. 

 

 

“I focused on getting the shot off,” Pressley said. “I didn’t think it went in at first. 

 

 

Throughout the two over time halves, the WNY Flash had good possession but was unable to capitalize. 

 

 

Heading into penalty kicks, the Flash's first shooter was Adriana, the leading scorer in the WPSL Elite. Adriana, who had taken several penalty kicks for the Flash this season. Adriana easily scored, sending Chicago’s keeper Forbes in the wrong direction. Lauren Fowlkes would equalize for Chicago scoring on Cameron. Defender Katherine Reynolds was up next for the WNY Flash and slotted the ball past Forbes.  Julianne Sitch lined up next to shoot for Chicago and Cameron was able to make the save. “All I was thinking was, ‘Save one,’” Cameron said. 

 

 

Captain McCall Zerboni would take her kick next, which was saved by Forbes. The Chicago keeper would then take a penalty herself, scoring to tie things up at two each. Australian international Emily Van Egmond was the fourth taker for the Flash, scoring to give the Flash a lead. Chicago’s Michelle Wenino missed, hitting the post. Midfielder Angela Salem stepped up and scored her penalty, giving the Flash the victory (4:2) and the WPSL Elite title. Defender Nikki Marshall was named MVP of the game.

 

 

This championship marked the third straight title for the WNY Flash, who took the W-League title in 2010 and the WPS title last year. The Flash had a young squad this season, with only 4 returning players from the WPS Championship Team. 

 

 

Coach Aaran Lines said that one of the more difficult tasks with his young players is to “make them believe that they are good enough to win.” Lines said the team this season was “tremendous.”

 

 

“Nothing’s easy,” Cameron said, “We didn’t stop trying until that final whistle.”


###

About the WNY Flash

After the suspension of the WPS 2012 season, the Flash returns this year to play in the WPSL Elite League, after winning the championship last year in the WPS. The WNY Flash joined Women’s Professional Soccer as an expansion club in September of 2010, directly following the club’s decisive W-League Championship as the Buffalo Flash in July of 2010. The Flash play all WPSL home games at the Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester NY, home to the Rochester Rhinos. The Flash train out of owner, Joe Sahlen’s, indoor soccer facility, Sahlen Sports Park, in Elma, NY. The Flash colors are Red, Yellow, and Black, to match the Sahlen entities: Sahlen Packing Co., Sahlen Sports Park, and Team Sahlen racing team. The WNY Flash posted a 13-2-3 record (42 points) in their inaugural campaign, taking first place and the Regular season Championship. On August 27, 2011 the Western New York Flash defeated the Philadelphia Independence to capture the WPS Championship title in front of a record crowd of over 10,000 fans at Sahlen’s Stadium. After the WPS suspended operations for the 2012 season, the Flash joined the WPSL Elite League along with the Boston Breakers. The Flash will open their season on Saturday, May 12, 2012 against FC Indiana at 7:00 PM. For tickets, please call 585-454-KICK or for more information, please call 716-655-7529 and visit our website, www.wnyflash.com. Don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on twitter @wnyflash for all the latest news!

Most Recent News Articles
** Team Sahlen's Joe Nonnamaker - Nelson Ledges 24 hours from 1980 to 2019
** Team Sahlen has a great day of Testing at Nelson Ledges Road Course
** Audi Mentor mentors Team Sahlen on new Audi R8 LMS GT3
** Team Sahlen excitedly announces their newest racer - the Audi R8 LMS GT3
** ECS Tuning welcomes new partnership with Team Sahlen
** All Fit Automotive helps Team Sahlen improve their Race Cars' Aerodynamics
** Team Sahlen secures Double OVERALL victory at the Sahlen's Champyard DOG at the Glen
** Team Sahlen secures photo finish 1st and 2nd Place at the Sahlen's Sports Car Springfest at the Glen
** Team Sahlen excited for Memorial Day weekend at the Watkins Glen International
** The Sahlen's Sports Car Springfest kicks off the racing season at Watkins Glen International
** Team Sahlen kicks off season at Watkins Glen International

Contact