Washington Freedom defeats Long Island Rough Riders 2-0
The Washington Freedom went to 2-0 on the season after defeating the Long Island Rough Riders on Saturday night at St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington, N.Y.
The game began a bit chaotically as both teams struggled to gain possession. The Freedom, however, was able to find a break in the 4th minute. Caitlin Miskel dribbled up the right flank and crossed the ball into the box. Rough Rider goalkeeper Kimberly Yacenda could not maintain control and dropped it onto the feet of Meghan Lenczyk, who tapped the ball into the back of the net.
As the first half continued, the game did not settle as the ball constantly traveled back and forth from box to box. The Freedom was able to come away with a 1-0 lead at halftime.
As the second half began, the Freedom was able to possess and string passes together. In the 52nd minute, the Freedom struck again when Kimmy Germain hit a ball into the upper right corner of the net above the outstretched arms of Yacenda.
Just five minutes later, the Freedom brought the lead to 3-0. Brittany Tegeler controlled the ball at the sideline and cut around Long Island’s left back. Tegeler played the ball to Lencyzk, who found the feet of Christine Nairn. Nairn played a long ball over the top to Parsons who was making a run towards goal. Parsons was able to control the ball behind the defense and slip it past the keeper.
Two minutes later the Rough Riders responded off a corner kick, as Brooke DeRosa put away a header past Freedom goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan.
DeRosa’s goal was the last of the game as the Freedom came away with a 3-1 victory.
Freedom W-League falls to Lady Blues
After a hard-fought battle in front of 2,115 fans, the Washington Freedom fell 2-1 with a loss to Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues on Sunday evening at Newburgh Free Academy.
The Freedom started the game off strong, possessing the ball and generating numerous attempts on goal. In the 29th minute, the Freedom tallied their first goal. Brittany Tegeler received the ball near the right sideline, and as Tegeler dribbled forward, the Lady Blues defense retreated and failed to put pressure on the ball. Tegeler took advantage of the space and struck the ball from outside the 18 yard box into the upper right corner of the net, beyond the reach of goalkeeper Ashley Thompson.
The Lady Blues immediately responded in the 30th minute. After a scramble in the 18-yard box, Whitney Palmer was able to get her head onto the ball. Palmer’s header found the feet of Angelika Johannson, who slotted the ball past Freedom goalkeeper Alyssa Pont for the equalizer.
The Lady Blues found their 2nd goal of the match during stoppage time of the first half. After a Freedom miss-clearance on a cross, the ball found its way to Brittany Taylor just outside the 18 yard box. Taylor was able to run onto the ball and strike the ball first-time into the net to give the Lady Blues a 2-1 lead at halftime.
The Lady Blues’ momentum carried over into the second half. Just minutes into the second half, Whitney Palmer ran onto a ball played behind the Freedom defense, tapped the ball past the goalkeeper, and walked the ball into the back of the net. The goal by Palmer brought the score to 3-1.
The Freedom was able to get one back in the 75th minute. As Tegeler dribbled towards the Lady Blues defense, she found herself with space just outside the Lady Blues’ defensive 18-yard box. Tegeler was able to crank a ball into the upper right corner of the net past halftime substitute, goalkeeper Erin McNulty.
Shortly after Tegeler’s goal, the Freedom began to push farther into their offensive half to try and score the equalizer. Unfortunately, the Lady Blues were able to take advantage of the Freedom’s aggressiveness to get forward. Palmer was again able to use her speed to get past the Freedom defense, tap the ball past Pont, and slip the ball into the net.
Although the Freedom outshot the Lady Blues 14-11, they walked away with a heartbreaking 4-2 loss. The two teams will meet up again on Wednesday, June 10th at the Maryland Soccerplex.
