The Sounders Women took on LA Strikers in their first home game today to open up the W-League season. The stands were
The action opened up immediately when LA Strikers found their first goal in just the third minute. Jaime Bell scored off of a nice low cross from #17. She placed the ball easily past the keeper, Erin McNulty, with the help of the wet turf.
In the 30th minute the Sounders Women tied it up 1-1. The ball was crossed in by defender, Jaelene Hinkle, and punched away by the Strikers keeper but only as far as Sarah Campbell’s feet. Instead of selfishly taking the shot into a crowded goal mouth, Campbell cut a nice ball across the face of the goal to Isabell Farell, who side footed it into the corner perfectly.
Just 8 minutes later, the LA Strikers put themselves ahead once again. Defender #5 hit in a long diagonal cross to the weak side where, #20 was waiting. She trapped it down with room around her and struck it into the far corner with poise to put the Strikers up 2-1. The score would stay 2-1 until halftime.
It did not take long for the Sounders Women to tie it up in the 2nd half. In the 50th minute, M’ily Reiter took the ball off a Strikers defender’s foot on the edge of the box, and then worked hard to whip in a driven cross resulting in an own goal. The game was now tied at 2-2. In the following 35 minutes, play was pretty back and forth, with no real possession for either team.
The Sounders Women found a goal in the 86th minute to put themselves up 3-2. Once again, M’ily Reiter was the play-maker that created the opportunity. The ball popped out to her on the edge of the box off of a corner kick and she drove a volley right back into the mix. Defender, Annie Sittauer, rose up and skillfully flicked a header to the side netting, where the Strikers keeper had no chance.
In the 90th minute of play the Sounders sealed the deal with a 4th goal. Forward, Marta Mathews, made a gorgeous run down the far side behind the defense and all the way into the box. She made the keeper and defender commit, and then at the last second she played a cut back ball to Allie Beahan for the easy finish.
The Sounders Women came out tonight and played fearlessly in their home opener. The crowd was not quieted by the rain and neither was the play on the field. It was an impressive first league match and hopefully the Sounders Women can take that confidence into their next game against Vancouver.
Find tickets and schedule information on the Sounders Women’s website.
