2005 Jul 3

Goals:
25' VAN - Allen (Timko)
38' VAN - Lang
60' VAN - Allen (Lang)
88' VAN - Allen (PK)

Vancouver: Sian Bagshawe; Clare Rustad, Sophie Schmidt, Randee Hermus, Martina Franko; Kara Lang, Andrea Neil, Ashley McGhee (Ciara McCormack 81'), Brittany Timko; Amber Allen, Stephanie Smith (Jodi-Ann Robinson 78'). Substitutes not used: Stephanie Weston, Sara Maglio, Lindsay Rohla, Emily Zurrer, Phebe-Joy Trotman.

Seattle: Katie Hultin; Sarah Groves (Patty Blankenship 73'), Shannon Forslund, Nicole Martinez, Kelli Smith; Karly Larsen (Hillary Heath 46'), Dani Bridges, Malia Arrant (Janelle Munnis 67'), Chalise Baysa; Brenda Mueller, Nicole Garbin (Amy Carnell 70'). Substitute not used: Katie Miyake.

Match report from the Whitecaps:

The Whitecaps Women officially clinched a playoff spot, downing the visiting Seattle Sounders 4-0. Striker Amber Allen led the way with a hat trick, while Kara Lang had the goal of the game with a 50-yard special from the right touchline. It was Vancouver 's eighth win a row.

Sian Bagshawe faced nine shots, making three saves, to record her seventh shutout of the season, and fifth in six games.

The Caps' record improves to 10-1-0 for 30 points, as they stay on top of the Western Conference standings, two points up on the Arizona Heatwave and with a game in hand. Vancouver needs four more points in their remaining three games to lock up first place in the West ahead of Arizona, the only team that can catch them. In out-of-town action, the Heatwave were 2-1 winners Sunday night away to the Denver Lady Cougars. Seattle's record falls to 3-7-1, in their first losing season in team history.

These two teams now face off for a third straight game on Saturday, July 9, at Kelowna's Apple Bowl, starting at 4:00pm.

Scoring Summary:

25' Vanc Amber Allen (Brittany Timko) Timko won the ball in midfield and fed it ahead quickly to Allen breaking on the right. The speedy striker calmly slotted it past the keeper to the far post from 15 yards out.

38' Vanc Kara Lang A remarkable goal, as Lang on the right edge of midfield launched a shot 50 yards on the diagonal over the keeper to the far post, with the ball hitting the post, bouncing back across the goal, and going in off the other post. It was Lang's fourth goal of the season. She was standing at the right touchline, over 35 yards from the endline when she shot it.

60' Vanc Amber Allen (Kara Lang) Lang on the right side of the box fired the ball across for Allen to rap in from right in front.

88' Vanc Amber Allen (PK) Allen on a partial breakaway was impeded by Seattle 's Nicole Martinez, with referee Romy Kozak pointing to the penalty spot. Allen took it herself, and stroked it low to the right of the keeper. It was Allen's team-leading tenth goal of the season, and fifth in three games.

Game Notes:

The Whitecaps dominated the first half, outshooting Seattle 12-2.

Seattle played better after the break, and almost scored off a corner kick at 50', with Whitecaps midfielder Ashley McGhee clearing a bouncing ball of the line in a scramble.

The score could have been higher, as Allen fired a hard shot on the turn just wide from inside the box at 53'. Six minutes later, the ball got through to Kara Lang who was all alone in front, and surprisingly onside, but her quick first-timer was right at the keeper.

16-year-old Jodi-Ann Robinson came on as a late sub, and almost scored with her first touch, as she put a diving header wide at 79'.

Seattle defender Kelli Smith was sent off for her second yellow card of the game at 89'.

Midfielder Amy Apps was slated to start, but suffered an injury in the warm-up.

Statistics:
         Vancouver  Seattle
Shots:      19        9
Saves:       3        4
Corners:     6        3
Fouls:       7        9
Offsides:    6        2

Misconduct:
23' SEA - Garbin cautioned
71' SEA - Smith cautioned
89' SEA - Smith cautioned and sent off for her second caution

Referees: Romy Kozak; Ken Robbin, Michelle Pye; Andy Pinter
Attendance: 2,660