Sounders Women News Release - www.sounderswomen.com
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
LOS ANGELES – The Sounders Women started a three-match road trip in Los Angeles with a 2-1 win against the LA Strikers. A first-half corner kick, converted by Sara Campbell and a second-half cross-turned-shot from Morgan Johnson were enough to hold off a late Strikers push.
The win gives the Sounders seven points from their first three matches, to sit on top the Western Conference table.
The match was a physical battle, yielding multiple free kick chances for each side. After a strong beginning from the home side, the Sounders were first to convert on a set piece. Brigit Reder rose to meet a Melissa Busque corner kick. Reder nodded the ball down toward the net where it was eventually pounced on by Campbell. The energetic attacker volleyed the ball home.
As Los Angeles fought back toward an equalizer, Sounders’ goalkeeper Erin McNulty rose to the occasion. Multiple chances fell to LA Strikers’ feet, and each time the Canadian GK came up with big saves. In the late moments of the first half, a deflected pass fell to LA’s Tanya Samarzich. The Mexican national-teamer drove a low shot that McNulty quickly sent wide of the post with her right foot.
In the second half the Sounders began to control the match and generate more chances. In the 60th minute, Texas Tech duo Jaelene Hinkle and Janine Beckie teamed up to create a tremendous chance. Hinkle’s pace earned her enough space down the left to cross to Beckie, wide open in front of goal. Her shot skipped wide of the post.
Then in the 76th minute, it was the third Sounder from Texas Tech who scored a vital cushion goal. Jphnson, a right back, raced down the right side and attempted a hard cross. Her attempt ended up in the back of the net as it had pace and direction to beat the Strikers’ goalkeeper.
In the final 10 minutes of the game Los Angeles added forwards and poured players into attack. Their pressure paid off when the official whistled for a penalty kick on a Shannon Woeller hand ball. The Strikers’ Victoria Boardman was clinical in finishing the chance to pull a goal back.
The Sounders held on for the goal advantage to take six points from the home-and-away matchup with the Strikers.
The Sounders Women stay in Southern California for two more matches this week. Next up is a Friday night game at 5 p.m. against the Santa Clarita Blue Heat before a 3 p.m. match on Sunday against the Pali Blues.