Rapids Women, Whitecaps End In Draw

Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release - www.whitecapsfc.com

Friday, June 1, 2012

CHILLIWACK, BC – It was a damp and chilly Friday night at Exhibition Stadium in Chilliwack for what proved to be a highly competitive contest, as Vancouver Whitecaps FC women (0-3-1) captured their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Colorado Rapids Women (1-0-1) in W-League action. A crowd of 1,005 ‘Caps supporters turned out to support the Blue and White as they took on the Rapids Women for the first time this season. The fixture marked the 23rd all-time meeting between Vancouver and Colorado.

With the Colorado Rapids Women being hung up at the border, the game had a delayed start of 7:55 p.m. PT, but that didn’t dampen the mood for ‘Caps supporters out in the ‘Wack as they were loud and supportive from the first whistle. Whitecaps FC rewarded their faithful by carrying the play and attacking early against the Rapids Women.

The hard work paid dividends as ‘Caps forward Marissa Mykines pushed the ball through the Rapids box, and was taken down just as she was winding up to shoot. Colorado defender Kelsey Neal was shown a yellow card and the ‘Caps were awarded a penalty. ‘Caps forward Mele French stepped to the spot and buried the shot low to the far post past Rapids goalkeeper Lauren Robertson at 24 minutes to give the Blue and White a 1-0 lead.

“I just tried to make good contact on my penalty,” French told whitecapsfc.com. “I thought we put together a really good game. However, there are areas where we will still have to improve.”

The teams continued to trade chances back and forth. As the first half came to a close the ‘Caps clung to their 1-0 lead.

As the second half started, the skies opened up and drenched the pitch at Exhibition Stadium. Colorado came out strong in the second half and tried to push the pace offensively. Rapids forward Samhia Simao got a ball past ‘Caps defensive stalwart Jenny Jeffers, forcing her to take her down Simao on the edge of the box. As a result Jeffers was shown a yellow card, and Colorado midfielder Erin Gunther took the free kick and wired it past Gurveen Clair to even the score at 1-1 on 53 minutes.

“There was a lot of stops and fouls in the second half,” said Jesse Symons, Whitecaps FC women’s head coach. “It was hard for us to find a good rythym.”

The Blue and White had a couple of glorious chance to retake the lead as Paige Adams put a shot just wide and French got stopped on a point blank chance in the second half.

“We asked the players to push the pace offensively, and I think they responded very well,” noted Symons.

“It was very slick out there on the pitch,” noted Whitecaps FC captain Danielle Johnson. “I think we played really well; our final pass just seemed to let us down tonight.”

The draw gives Vancouver their first point of the season, but luckily the team still has plenty of time with a long road ahead to move upwards within the W-League Western Conference standings. Next on the docket for the ‘Caps women is a road match against Seattle Sounders FC Women on Friday, June 8 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington. The Blue and White then return home for a match against LA Strikers FC, slated for Wednesday, June 13. Kickoff is at 7: 30 p.m. PT at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam, BC. For schedule and ticket information, visit whitecapsfc.com or contact Hugh Hamilton at 778-330-1360.