photo by Michael Long
Game Time: 4 pm Saturday
TV: Comcast Sports Network
The Philadelphia Indpendence is back in the WPS Final for the second time in only their second
year of existence. After dropping last year's final 4-0 to FC Gold Pride, this year's motto has
been "unfinished business".
In a game worthy of a Championship, the Western New York Flash defeated the Philadelphia
Independence in a shootout 5-4 after the teams ended 120 minutes of soccer tied at one. Ashlyn
Harris saved Laura del Rio's penalty on Philadelphia's fifth and final shot after every other
shooter had converted for both teams.
Amy Rodriguez's 88th minute goal gave the Philadelphia Independence new hope, as the team pulled
even with the Western New York Flash at the end of regular time. It would be for naught, as the
Independence eventually fell to the Flash on penalty kicks to lose the 2011 WPS Championship,
An incredibly defensive first half left the score at 0-0, but there were some lowlights to take
from those 45 minutes.
