Whitecaps, Rush Battle To Draw

Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release - www.whitecapsfc.com

Friday, July 13, 2012

HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO - Playing in their second to last match of the season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC women (3-4-6) settled for a scoreless draw with third-place Colorado Rush (5-4-5) at Valor Christian High School Stadium in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Despite dictating play from the beginning, the Whitecaps couldn't find the breakthrough.

While having to adjust to playing at altitude, the visiting ‘Caps dictated the play from start to finish, launching a massive 21 shots toward the Rush goal. Rush goalkeeper Megan McCain was forced to make 15 saves, while ‘Caps shot-stopper Gurveen Clair was tested just once — in the 80th minute.

“It was actually probably our best game of the season,” Whitecaps FC women head coach Jesse Symons told whitecapsfc.com. “Pretty much the entire game was played in their half, but unfortunately we weren’t able to slide one by their goalkeeper.”

After opening their 2012 campaign with three consecutive losses, the fifth-place ‘Caps are now unbeaten in four, having only lost one match in their previous 10 W-League fixtures.

“The way that the team has progressed from June 1 until now has been very impressive,” Symons said. “Full credit to the players to keep pushing even though we’ve been out of the playoff race for our last couple matches.”

It was clear from the opening whistle that the Blue and White came to play, with their first opportunity coming at the five minute mark. After midfielder Jenny Jeffers played striker Mele French in behind the Rush defense, the Hawaiian forward went for goal but McCain was up to the task, pushing the ball out with her right hand to keep matters scoreless.

The ‘Caps let loose a flurry of shots from distance in the opening 45 minutes, but it was not until the second half that they really began to put on the attack.

Jeffers, midfielder Molly Rouse and striker Marissa Mykines each had quality opportunities from close-range, but McCain proved unbeatable as this Western Conference affair ended in a deadlock.

The ‘Caps now travel down the road to Commerce City, Colorado, where they will wrap up their season July 15 against Colorado Rapids Women.