Western NY Flash pick up first road win 2-0 vs. Boston Breakers

(Via Western New York Flash) – The Western New York Flash earned its first win on the road on Sunday night, but more importantly, picked up three points as it defeated the Boston Breakers 2-0 at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium. The Flash (4-4-1, 13 points) were led by goals from first-year players Lynn Williams and Elizabeth Eddy who capitalized in the first half, while Chantel Jones earned her first shutout in a Flash uniform.

“Today we got the job done away from home. The team stuck to the game plan and were very, very eager to get that first away result under the belt,” said Flash general manager and head coach Aaran Lines. “We waited a while for it. We’ve been close in a few occasions but we had the will get it done today.”

With the win, the Flash jump into a tie for fourth place with the Houston Dash as both teams sit with 13 points. The Flash have one game in-hand.

Williams opened the scoring in the 20th minute when she was in the right place at the right time, punching home a rebound from Boston goalkeeper Jamie Kranich. After a Jamia Fields shot from the right side, Kranish was unable to hold onto the ball and Williams capitalized, firing into an open net.

Then, after Fields was subbed out in the first half after injury, Elizabeth Eddy came on to score her second goal of the season. Chelsea Stewart was able to collect a 50/50 ball, volleying it over to Williams who fed forward to Eddy. Eddy took a couple steps before dribbling around Kranich to put the Flash up 2-0 leading into halftime.

With the two-goal performance, the Flash continued its trend of multiple scores against the Breakers, having now scored 2+ goals in eight of its nine all-time NWSL meetings. It was also the first time the Flash have held the Breakers without a goal.

Jones, who tied a career-high seven saves, earned her first clean sheet with a number of strong saves. Just seven minutes in, the goalkeeper denied Kristie Mewis on a quick shot, punching a left-footed attempt over the bar. Late in the second half, Jones then denied Bia on a free kick just outside the box, diving to stop the shot in the upper, right corner.

Jasmyne Spencer nearly made it a three-goal game in the 57th minute with a leaping header that deflected off the base of the left post, keeping it 2-0. Spencer connected on a perfectly placed cross from Kristen Edmonds but came just inches from her second goal of the year.

“The adjustment in the midfield with [Spencer], Mewis and Becky gave us control in the first half. We were organized and Abby Dahlkemper was very solid in the back,” Lines added. “Becky Edwards, I thought, was a very good performer for us in the midfield. Chantel Jones has made that [goalkeeper] position hers right now with the shutout on the road and game management for us.”

“Overall, a very good performance. We had a couple very good chances to put the ball away early in the beginning of the second half but we couldn’t make it happen. Always room to grow and improve but I’m over the moon for the team.”

The Flash will return to Sahlen’s Stadium on Friday night when it hosts Seattle Reign FC at 7 p.m.