Washington Spirit Reserves News Release - www.washingtonspirit.com
Friday, June 27, 2014
ARLINGTON, Va. - The Washington Spirit Reserves became the first team to clinch a spot in the W-League post-season Friday, defeating the Long Island Rough Riders 3-0 to improve to 8-0-2 and earn the home-field advantage for the Northeastern Conference playoffs. First-half goals from forward Katie Yensen and midfielder Kelsey Pardue and a second-half tally from defender Maddie Huster gave Washington the victory against Long Island.
Despite Long Island bunkering down on defense, the Spirit Reserves maintained possession from the start. Washington finally capitalized in the 13th minute on a beautiful cross from defender Jen Skogerboe to the head of Yensen, who redirected the ball just past the outreached hand of Long Island goalkeeper Diana Poulin.
The Rough Riders rarely made it past the midfield line and when they did, the Spirit Reserves defense smothered any offensive attempts. After a flurry of near misses and a series of spectacular saves from Poulin, the Spirit Reserves finally were able to hit the back the net again in the 42nd minute. Washington forward Aaran Parry crossed the ball into the box and it rolled across the mouth of the goal past Yensen to the waiting feet of Pardue, who was able to tap it in past Poulin for a 2-0 Spirit Reserves lead entering the half.
The Rough Riders started the second half more aggressively and their best chance of the game came in the 49th minute when a hard shot by midfielder CJ Ludemann was saved by Adelaide Gay, who was shaken up on the play as she fought through a crowd to control the ball. Fortunately, she was able to continue.
Washington continued to keep Poulin busy as she faced several excellent chances. In the 67th minute, Washington defender Melissa Downey came on for Yensen and immediately forced Poulin to make a save to keep the score at 2-0. The Spirit continued to substitute fresh legs to keep the pressure on the Rough Rider defense. In the 72nd minute forward Lina Grenados came on and made a dangerous run that was thwarted by the Long Island defense.
Despite Long Island’s best efforts, the Spirit Reserves offense had another goal in it when Huster found herself with space and drove the ball into the upper right corner from 20 yards out to put her team up 3-0.
The Rough Riders had a chance in the 89th minute when second-half substitute midfielder Shelby Halasz launched a shot into the waiting arms of Gay. Washington continued to challenge Poulin well into the waning minutes of the game and into extra time, only stopping when the final whistle blew.
The Spirit Reserves’ next game will be Sunday June 29 away at the New Jersey Wildcats before they return home to the Maryland SoccerPlex on July 13th to face the North Jersey Valkyries at 4 p.m.