Sounders Women rout Victoria in home finale

(Sounders Women Press Release) Tukwila, WA –The Sounders Women treated another sell-out crowd (4,500) to five goals and plenty of celebration in their final home match of the 2012 W-League season. Lyndsey Patterson scored two goals in the 1st half, Veronica Perez added two tallies in the 2nd half, and Megan Manthey capped the night off with the fifth goal to send Sounders fans home happy.

The Sounders Women have enjoyed the highest level of support that a W-League team has ever experience this season. The players on the squad wanted demonstrate their appreciation for their fan support by finishing the home campaign in style, and that’s exactly what they did.

Match photo galleries at Facebook.com/goalWA: Jeff Halstead  Wilson Tsoi

“It’s just been amazing,” forward, Lyndsey Patterson said. “You can’t put it into words how it makes you feel as a player and how it is to play in front of people like that and know how much they love you. You just want to play so well for them.”

Patterson started the celebration off with a goal in the 25th minute. The move started with Veronica Perez, who drew attention at the top of the box before sliding the box to her left for Sophie Reiser. Last year’s leading scorer, Reiser, knew exactly what to do with the ball. She took just one touch to chip the ball to the back post for Patterson, who ran on for the volley to open the scoring.

Veronica Perez (center) works for the Sounders as they beat Victoria 5:0 on Friday night at Starfire. (Jeff Halstead)

Just two minutes later, Patterson found the goal again. She accepted a long diagonal pass from Perez with a couple controlling touches. After settling the ball she ripped a left foot shot over Stephanie Parker, the Victoria goalkeeper, and off the bottom of the crossbar, for the goal. Patterson had over 30 family and friends in the stands from as far as Florida, so it was a true delight to score the brace.

The 2nd half brought more celebration, both on the pitch and off it. Veronica Perez was fouled five yards outside the penalty box, and she was elected to take the free kick. The Mexican National Team star lined up a perfect free kick around the outside of the wall and into the upper corner for a 3-0 score. The team celebrated by running to the stands where confetti, water, and streamers showered the team.

Perez made another case for W-League MVP on the season as she scored her 11th goal of the regular season in the 71st minute. The free kick she scored earlier in the half was with her right foot, but this time she used her left. Perez took a bouncing ball and controlled it before driving her shot into the opposite upper V.

Finally, in stoppage time, substitute Megan Manthey got on the end of a pass from Perez to score the fifth goal of the night. Manthey’s shot beat the goalkeeper with sheer pace for her third goal of the season.

The win gives the Sounders 25 points after 11 games played. Their closest competitor for the 2nd, and final, playoff spot from the Western Conference, Colorado Rush, tied 1-1 with the LA Strikers Friday night, so the Sounders now have a seven point cushion for 2nd place.

Next up for the Sounders is their final road stretch in California. Seattle plays Wednesday vs. Santa Clarita, then Friday vs. Los Angeles, and finally Sunday vs. the Pali Blues. Radio coverage of the matches can be found on Alternative Talk, 1150AM or on 1150KKNW.com.

The Sounders celebrate one of their five goals. (Jeff Halstead)

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