Washington Spirit Reserves News Release - www.washingtonspirit.com

Sunday, May 12, 2013

BOYDS, Md. – The Washington Spirit Reserves failed to hold a one-goal lead against the visiting New York Magic, surrendering a pair of goals in final 15 minutes to fall 2-1 on a stormy evening at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Magic forward Brittany Pfaff knocked home the game winner in the 86th minute to doom the Washington W-League side.

Numerous area thunderstorms forced stadium and field closures throughout early Saturday evening, pushing kickoff to 6 p.m. Despite the delay, things could not have started better for the home side Spirit Reserves in the opening minutes of the match. Washington grabbed the early lead in the sixth minute when forward Tiffany Brown turned with the ball in the Magic box and flicked it over to speedy teammate Ashley Herndon. Herndon blasted her shot from close range untouched into the upper part of the New York goal for the 1-0 lead.

The Spirit Reserves peppered New York for much of the first half, outshooting the Magic 10-3. However, Washington was unable to solve the Magic defense to find the net and the half finished with the single-goal lead.

The second half began much like the first, but as time wore on New York found itself creating more and more chances. The Magic had a golden opportunity in the 71st minute, however Washington goalkeeper DiDi Haracic snuffed out the point-blank shot to preserve the slim lead.

The Magic evened things in the 75th minute when forward Brittany Pfaff slotted the ball through the middle for New York substitute Lorena Maggio to finish. Eleven minutes later Pfaff took matters into her own hands to break free near midfield and race in on the Washington goal. Pfaff’s low shot found the back corner of the goal to earn the 2-1 victory for the Magic.

The Spirit Reserves remain home next week to face the Virginia Beach Piranhas on Saturday May 18. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Maryland Soccerplex.

The article from http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/home/718565.html