Colorado Rapids Women News Release - www.coloradorapids.com/women
Saturday, June 15, 2013
DENVER, CO – The Colorado Rapids scored two goals in the second half but could not complete the comeback against the Seattle Sounders Women, who scored three in the first hour to win 3-2 on a windy night in Denver.
The Rapids Women had a flurry of chances to begin the first half but the Sounders Women scored first when Rachel Mercik flicked the ball into the Rapids goal after 14 minutes. The Sounders Women doubled their lead in the 39th minute when midfielder Tafara Pulse hit a low shot into the bottom corner from outside the box.
The Rapids Women outshot the Sounders 8-5 in the first half but the Sounders had the two-goal lead at halftime.
The Sounders Women added to their lead after the halftime break when Mercik tallied her second goal of the game, assisted by Jaelene Hinkle. Colorado head coach Daniel Clitnovici made a series of substitutions to spark the Rapids, bringing on forwards Anna Evans and Jessie Ayers, who both helped to pick up the Rapids' energy.
In the 72nd minute Rapids midfielder Chloe Roberts won the ball and played Kristen Hamilton through on goal. Hamilton finished past Sounders goalkeeper Erin McNulty to make it 3-1.
The Rapids Women fought hard for another goal and got it late. Hamilton took the ball down the right side and into the box, and finished into the top corner for her second goal of the game and her third goal of the season. The goal came too late, though, and the Sounders held on to win the game 3-2.