Spokane, Wash.- Denver Summit FC poached a point in Washington state last night after a monotonous seesaw match with Seattle Reign.
Both sides battled to a 0-0 draw before a light crowd of 3,950 fans in Reign’s temporary home, ONE Spokane Stadium, in eastern Washington. The Reign have earned seven points here, while their primary stadium, Lumen Field is being readied for the upcoming FIFA Men’s World Cup Tournament.
With the single point, Denver improves their record to 1-3-1.
Post-match, Head Coach, Nick Cushing, said “These are critical points, points on the road. What we don’t want to do is look back at these games thinking those were two points dropped that could have got us.”
On a wing, a prayer and once again, goalkeeper Abby Smith’s magnetic gloves and leopard-like reflexes, Smith made three impressive saves during the chippy 92 minute match. Without her supervising the goal, Denver would have returned home empty handed.
In the first half, Smith took on Seattle forward Maddie Mercado. Mercado was off-to-the-races, firing a wicked shot from deep in the box at the lower left corner of the frame. In turn, Smith responded with a spontaneous kick save that sent the potential goal spinning off towards safety.
Smith’s pivotal saves only reinforce why she was named to the NWSL Best XI for March.
Captain Janine Sonis gave Seattle fits throughout the game. At around the 5th minute of play she punched a cross towards the back post. With a right spin on it, the ball ended up sailing towards the goal and ultimately nipping the crossbar.
Eighteen minutes later, Sonis unleashed a shot that almost caught Reign’s keeper Claudia Dickey off guard. However, the seasoned defender and USWNT goaltender, came to and snatched the incoming ball.
In the 29th minute, Summit’s leading goal scorer, Melissa Kössler missed an opportunity to score from just a few yards from the right post. She played the ball to herself, then sent it towards the goal. Dickey reacted and was able to nudge the ball over the crossbar.
Sonis’ best chance to score came in the 72nd minute. Teammate Yazeem Ryan lofted the ball to Solis who was charging towards the back post. The ball met Sonis’ forehead and she delivered the ball directly into Dickey’s ready hands.
Dickey recorded her 15th shutout of her NWSL career. With 190 saves in check, she surpassed Hope Solo for the most in club history.
In addition to Sonis and Kössler, Yuna McCormack, Yazmeen Ryan, all recorded shots. Denver’s 18 attempts were its most in a match this season.
All-in-all, the upstart Summit side did win the battle of statistics. Denver out possessed Seattle 53% to 47%, topped with six more shots, and earned nine feisty fouls. However, finishing is an apparent dilemma.
Cushing, who relishes victories, summed up the match with these thoughts, “I said we’d be an attacking team and we came here and took the majority of the game to Seattle.” Seemingly a bit malcontent, he continued, “We need to create bigger chances and be more ruthless. I said to the team that if we were in this place in September I think I’d be frustrated. But for us, it’s about going through the process, and I think we gave them the most difficult game they’ve had this season.”
Denver next plays at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City on April 25th. They will host first-place San Diego Wave.
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Matt Pollard 
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