Germantown, Maryland – Playing in their second match in less than 24 hours, the W-League Piranhas traveled to the Maryland Soccerplex to take on Eastern Conference co-leader, the Washington Freedom Future and came away with a 5-0 loss Sunday. Washington scored early and often, beginning in the 4th minute of play.
Washington forward Meghan Lenczyk scored the first goal heading in a corner kick from midfielder Haley Siegel catching the Piranhas off-guard. Twelve minutes later, Piranhas defender Caitlin Burke was called for a foul on Freedom forward Shannon Foley inside the box and buried in the resulting penalty kick into the back left corner of the net for the 2-0 lead.
Foley tallied her second goal in the 29th minute when she gathered the ball in the box right off the goal line, quickly turned and took the shot, scoring just inside the near upright to take her team up 3-0.
The Piranhas seemed to get their legs under them after the Freedom’s third goal and they were able to get off a series of shots on Washington goalkeeper Yewande Balogun. Midfielder Jamie Clarke missed just over the bar in the 41st minute followed by a shot by forward Emily Kittleson that curled just past the far post. Midfielder Rachel Gerdin just missed a goal wide of the far post after heading the ball off a corner kick. Another corner kick followed and Kittleson just missed the far corner off her right foot.
Head coach/midfielder Wendy Waddell took the field to start the second half along with backup goalkeeper Whitney Beverley in an effort to shore up the defensive third. But playing a team made up of former WPS players and ACC All-Stars was a difficult task on the back end of a two-game road trip. But they were able to hold Washington until the 79th minute.
Beverly punted after a save and the ball landed right at the feet of Washington midfielder Molly Menchel who took off on a breakaway. Beverley got a hand on Menchel’s shot but it had too much spin on it to make the stop and Washington was up 4-0. Lenczyk finished off the scoring one minute before the final whistle when she gathered a pass in the box and beat Beverly to the far post.
The Piranhas unfortunately were outmanned and outplayed Sunday by the defending W-League championship runner-up but are not out of the playoff picture. And the team will be ready for the rubber match with the Northern Virginia Majestics next Saturday, June 19 at 8 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. The Piranhas and Majestics have met twice this season splitting the results, each team winning 1-0 at home. The women’s match will be the second half a doubleheader with the PDL Piranhas who will host the New Jersey Spartans at 5:30 p.m.
For more information on the Hampton Roads Piranhas, including tickets, sponsorships or to volunteer, please call 757-226-9040 or visit www.hrpiranhas.com.
Scoring Summary 1 2 FT
Hampton Roads 0 0 0
Washington Freedom 3 2 5
Washington: Meghan Lenczyk 4 (Hayley Siegel)
Washington: Shannon Foley 16 (penalty kick)
Washington: Shannon Foley 29 (Molly Menchel)
Washington: Molly Menchel 79 (unassisted)
Washington: Meghan Lenczyk 89 (Kika Toulouse)
Starting Lineups:
Hampton Roads: Vicky Johnson (Whitney Beverly 46), Melanie Adams (Julia Doolittle 75), Laurel McKenzie, Katy Winsper, Caitlin Burke, Alicia Kostka (Elizabeth Brewster 46), Rachel Gerdin (Allison Belsterling 86), Jamie Clarke (Wendy Waddell 46), Emily Kittleson (Kari Byzewski 79), Kara Cooper, Kirby Stenard
Washington: Yewande Balogun, Skyy Anderson, Holly King, Megan Gibbons (Kika Toulouse 64), Katie Ruhe (Melisa Krnjaic 64), Hayley Siegel (Fortuna Velaj 68), Clare Polkinghorne (Julia Roberts 56), Shannon Foley (Omolyn Davis 68), Molly Menchel, Meghan Lenczyk, Lydia Hastings (Julia Bouchelle 68)
Game Statistics:
Shots: HRP 9, WFF 21; Saves: HRP 4, WFF 4; Fouls: HRP 9; WFF 12; Offsides: HRP 2, WFF 3; Corners: HRP 3, WFF 3; Cautions: None; Ejections: None; Penalty Kicks: WFF (Shannon Foley 16); Officials: Brett Lally, Sergio Gonzalez, Andrew Myers; Attendance: 65.
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