Vancouver Whitecaps FC women recorded their third straight shutout win Friday night, as they downed the previously undefeated Colorado Rush of Denver 3-0 in Chilliwack, BC. An exuberant crowd at Exhibition Stadium were treated to a fine display by the 'Caps, as Tiffany Weimer scored twice, while newcomer Alysha Bonnick also found the net on her debut.
Coach Hubert Busby Jr. made several adjustments to his starting line-up. Left fullback Erica Campanelli made her Whitecaps FC debut, while in midfield, Tina Romagnuolo got her first start after having come off the substitutes' bench the past two games. Up front, veteran Canadian Amy Vermeulen got her first start of the season.
The home side started brightly. Just eight minutes in, a low 25-yard blast from Weimer was stopped by Colorado goalkeeper Krissy Tribbett. The rebound was claimed by speedy Jen Stoltenberg, but cut out by the Rush defence.
Back the other way, Stoltenberg turned well in the box on the right and her square ball found Weimer. Her first-time shot, though, was too close to Tribbett, who got down well to make the stop.
However, Weimer was not to be denied. With five minutes left in the half, she got on the end of a great through pass from Krista Kruse, who had pushed forward. From an angle to the right, she calmly rolled the ball past the onrushing keeper and inside the far post to put Whitecaps FC up 1-0 at the interval.
Early in the second half, Stoltenberg burst in on a partial breakaway, but Rush defender Kellyn Farrell did well to get a foot on the shot, deflecting it just enough to send it wide of the near post.
On 64 minutes, Vancouver doubled the lead. Stoltenberg made a nice move in the box on the right, then played it in front for Bonnick to fire in from five yards.
The home side put the match well out of reach with twenty minutes remaining. Weimer, twisting and turning in the box, was taken down by Ameera Abdullah, and match referee Karine Busse pointed to the spot. Weimer took the penalty kick herself, and while Tribbett got a hand to the ball, she could not stop it from crossing the goal line, as the ‘Caps put the game out of reach. It was Weimer's team-leading fourth goal, in just her third game.
After the match, coach Busby praised his talented midfield star, telling whitecapsfc.com, "Tiffany has the ability to unlock a pass in the final third and get into good scoring opportunities. She created opportunities and obviously she scores them, and that's one of the reasons we brought her in."
Whitecaps FC improve to 3W-0L-0D, while the Rush fall to 2W-1L-0D in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) W-League Western Conference.
Whitecaps FC would like to thank the fine work of Chilliwack FC, who hosted the match.
The 'Caps now head off on a California road trip for three matches in the Los Angeles area, starting Wednesday against Pali Blues. Their next home match is Friday, June 10, against expansion side LA Strikers. That game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT at Surrey's Newton Athletic Park. The match is part of the Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series presented by Kia - in partnership with the Girls Metro Soccer League, and is being hosted by Surrey FC Pegasus. Tickets for all home games are available online at www.whitecapsfc.com/wtickets.
Scoring Summary:
40' - VAN - Tiffany Weimer (Krista Kruse)
64' - VAN - Alysha Bonnick (Jen Stoltenberg)
70' - VAN - Tiffany Weimer (penalty)
Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 16 - Rush 9
Saves: Vancouver 6 - Rush 11
Fouls: Vancouver 14 - Rush 18
Corners: Vancouver 1 - Rush 0
Offsides: Vancouver 2 - Rush 2
Cautions:
84' - VAN - Sydney Leroux
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
29.Kristen Funk; 15.Krista Kruse, 3.Shannon Woeller, 4.Lexi Marton, 2.Erica Campanelli; 22.Kelsey Hood, 7.Tina Romagnuolo, 8.Tiffany Weimer (10.Tseng Shu-O 74'); 20.Jen Stoltenberg (24.Jaclyn Sawicki 81'), 6.Amy Vermeulen (9.Sydney Leroux 45'), 17.Carrie Patterson (11.Alysha Bonnick 60')
Subs not used: 35.Jaclyn Dunnett, 25.Ciara McCormack, 30.Ranee Premji
Colorado Rush
1.Krissy Tribbett; 7.Kellyn Farrell (17.Mary Schwappach 68'), 3.Morgan Kennedy, 23.Sarah Wagenfuhr, 5.Kerstyn Farrell (24.Kourtney Camy 82'), 4.Morgan Stanton; 11.Ameera Abdullah (12.Christie Ehrhardt 74'), 13.Jacy Drobney (19.Briana Campos 79'), 14.Olivia Wagner, 20.Hannah Peterson (9.Danica Evans 65'); 15.Danielle Foxhoven
Subs not used: 18.Megan McCain 25.Lindsey Horan
