SEATTLE , WA – (club release) Seattle Reign FC continued their unbeaten streak with a 3-1 victory over the Washington Spirit in front of 1,754 fans at the Moda Health Pitch at Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, April 23.

Wilson Tsoi was at the match and shares his photos here!

Reign FC opened the scoring quickly during the 3rd minute of the match when defender Kendall Fletcher sent the ball to the back of the net courtesy of a Jess Fishlock assist. Fletcher celebrated her first goal of the season with several backflips down the field. The remainder of the first half included several shots on goal by U.S. Women’s National Team forward Sydney Leroux and midfielder Bev Goebel.

Despite the strong push in the first half, Reign FC did not score again until the 48th minute when midfielder Keelin Winters converted one of the six corner kicks Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi made during the match.

“Naho is class. World class. We’ve known it ever since she walked on the field for the first training session,” said Reign FC head coach and general manager Laura Harvey. “We feel very happy and privileged to have her on our side.”

Keelin Winters goal sequence – Wilson Tsoi

Reign FC continued to dominate throughout the match, outshooting the Spirit 14 to 5, but was dealt an unlucky blow when a deflected ball hit defender Kendall Fletcher’s hand while inside the penalty box. Washington Spirit Midfielder Diana Matheson took the penalty kick during the 73rd minute and was able to provide the Spirit with their only goal of the game.

During the 80th minute, Reign FC midfielder Jess Fishlock narrowly snuck past the front post to finish off the game with a goal in the far left corner.

Jess Fishlock goal sequence – Wilson Tsoi

Reign FC will meet the Spirit two more times during the 2014 season, including another match in Seattle on August 9.

Seattle concludes their three-game home stand to open the regular season when they square off against the Houston Dash on Sunday, April 27 at the Moda Health Pitch at Memorial Stadium. The match kicks off at 4 p.m. (PT) and will be available via a live, high-definition webstream at YouTube.com/NWSL.

Visit ReignFC.com or call (855) REIGN-FC for details on single match tickets.

Seattle Reign FC vs. Washington Spirit April 22, 2014 – Memorial Stadium (Seattle, Wash.)

Scoring Summary

SRFC – Fletcher (Fishlock), 3

SRFC – Winters (Kawasumi), 48

SPIRIT – Matheson, 73

SRFC – Fishlock (Kawasumi), 80

Misconduct Summary

SPIRIT – Averbuch (Caution), 56

SPIRIT – Matheson (Caution), 87

Lineups & Stats

SRFC: GK Hope Solo, D Lauren Barnes, D Kendall Fletcher, D Stephanie Cox, M Elli Reed, M Kim Little, M Jess Fishlock, M Keelin Winters, M Bev Goebel, F Nahomi “Naho” Kawasumi (Kiersten Dallstream, 93), F Sydney Leroux (Kate Deines, 82)

SPIRIT: GK Ashlyn Harris, D Ali Krieger, D Robyn Gayle, D Crystal Dunn (Lori Lindsey, 64), D Toni Pressley, D Tori Huster, M Yael Averbuch, M Christine Nairn, M Diana Matheson, F Jodie Taylor (Renae Cuellar, 77), F Danesha Adams (Veronica Perez, 64)

Referee: Josh Wilkens

Assistant Referees: Timon Berry, Melissa Gonzalez

4th Official: Levi Rippy

Attendance: 1,754

Weather: Cloudy, light showers, 54 degrees



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