2004 Jul 17

Goals:
45' SEA - Frimpong
45' SEA - Gamble (Mueller)
83' SEA - Schweighart (Redwine)

Seattle: Meghan Miller; Katie Miyake, Dana Kimble (Erin Redwine 77'), Zahra Jalalian, Shannon Forslund (Kelley Schweighart 68'); Nikki Gamble, Michelle French, Rachel Rodrick, Chalise Baysa (Colby Branham 73'); Brenda Mueller (Alicia Milyak 61'), Tina Frimpong (Amy Carnell 77'). Substitutes not used: Sophie Spickard, Hillary Heath.

Fort Collins: Lindsey Smith (Meghann Loseke 46'); Christy Harms, Wendy Dunn, Lauren Rodriguez, Lauren Dieter (Pam Cooney 57'); Jayme Beamer (Diana Puckett 69'), Kelly Bond, Shannon Vnoucek (Brit Anderson 57'), Cayla Meyer; Jennifer Williams (Amanda Tewis 77'), Ashley Carruth. Substitutes not used: Kerry Greer, Katie Smeltzer.

Additional match report: Sounders.

Match report by Ron Stickney:

The Seattle Sounders Women shut out the visiting Fort Collins Force 3-0 on goals by Tina Frimpond, Nikki Gamble, and Kelley Schweighart.

First Half

The first half hour saw countless Seattle chances, but they couldn't finish. Brenda Mueller netted one in the 3rd minute, but she was offside.

Seattle got many of their chances from outrunning the Fort Collins defenders, who were pushing up a lot trying for the offside trap. Frimpong outraced her marker and went into the penalty area with only goalkeeper Lindsey Smith to beat, but the shot bent the wrong way.

The Force put a long shot from the right on goal in the 7th, but sent it right at goalkeeper Meghan Miller.

Frimpong raced to a through ball for a 10-yard shot, but it hit the post and came back at Frimpong, and she couldn't manage a second shot. Mueller was sprung and tried to chip over Smith from 18, but was a yard high. Then Mueller eluded 3 defenders for a 20-yarder with Smith halfway out, but the shot missed the far post by inches. Frimpong dummied Gamble's cross to give Rachel Rodrick a good chance from 20, but she sent it a half yard over the bar. A corner kick in the 31st got Gamble a 15-yard volleyed shot, but it went right to Smith's arms.

After all those missed chances by Seattle, Fort Collins nearly went on the scoreboard when Jennifer Williams from 20 almost found the far post, but Miller dove sideways and pushed it onto the post and out. On the ensuing corner kick play, Lauren Dieter missed the far post from 10 yards. In the 42nd, Jayme Beamer from wide right forced a diving save by Miller.

45' Frimpong. Frimpong was sprung up the middle and Smith came out to the 18 to meet the challenge. Frimpong got the ball past the goalkeeper, paused with the ball, then turned and sent it low past the defender. 1-0 Seattle.

45' Gamble (Mueller). Mueller was sprung into the penalty area but defenders caught up. Mueller dropped a diagonal ball out to Gamble on the left side. Gamble's long shot went over Smith and in at the top far corner, glancing off the post on the way in. 2-0 Seattle.

Halftime: Seattle 2 - 0 Fort Collins

The Sounders had all the good chances in the second half. Gamble started it in the 47th when she just missed the top far corner from 20 yards. Mueller was free into the penalty area, but second-half goalkeeper Meghann Loseke was out to make the block save. In the 63rd Chalise Baysa's surprise shot from the top of the arc hit the underside of the crossbar and returned to play. Michelle French pushed a pass up the middle for Baysa, whose sliding try was blocked by Loseke.

83' Schweighart (Redwine). Schweighart ran up the middle on an attack and sent it right for a wide open Erin Redwine. Redwine's shot from 10 yards on the right was saved by Loseke, but the rebound was a sitter in front of goal and Schweighart was first to it and put it in off the underside of the crossbar.

Final: Seattle 3 - 0 Fort Collins

Statistics:
         Seattle  Fort Collins
Shots:      19        9
Saves:       4        7
Corners:     4        2
Fouls:       3        5
Offsides:    8        2

Misconduct:
None

Referees: Debora Brock; Joshua Thompson, Sandy Clark..
Attendance: 684