Vancouver Whitecaps win Second W-League Championship
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Vancouver Whitecaps win Second W-League Championship

The Whitecaps claimed their second W-League Championship in three years, with a hard-fought 3-0 victory over the Ottawa Fury, before a frenzied crowd of 4,218 at Swangard Stadium.

Pedro Rondon
3 min
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                                                             Vancouver - Champions celebration
                                                             Vancouver - Champions celebration

The Whitecaps claimed their second W-League Championship in three years, with a hard-fought 3-0 victory over the Ottawa Fury, before a frenzied crowd of 4,218 at Swangard Stadium.

Defender Martina Franko had a goal and an assist, while Christine Sinclair netted the first-half winner, and was named the W-League Championship Tournament MVP.

Defender Sasha Andrews also played a key role, scoring the third goal as we'll as clearing the ball off the line early in the game to prevent Ottawa from scoring.

The Whitecaps had the edge in shots 13 to 5, as goalkeeper Erin McLeod made one save to claim her eighth shutout on the year.

The Whitecaps became the fourth team in W-League history to win a second championship. Previous teams to accomplish the feat are the Boston Renegades (2001, 2002), Raleigh Wings (1998, 1999) and Long Island Lady Riders (1995, 1997

                                                               Vancouver - Champions Team-Cupsmall
                                                               Vancouver - Champions Team-Cupsmall

Scoring Summary:

33' Vancouver Christine Sinclair (Tiffeny Milbrett)

A throw-in from the right found Milbrett at the near post, and she neatly played it across Sinclair who had snuck it an the far post and had a simple tap-in for her third of the playoffs and 12th on the year.

45' Vancouver Martina Franko

The ball broke to Andrea Neil in the box and she layed it off for Christine Sinclair who blasted on net from 15 yards. Goalkeeper Leisha Alcia made the big save, but the ball fell to Franko in front and she steered it in past a defender on the line for her second of the playoffs and third of the season.

74' Vancouver Sasha Andrews (Martina Franko)

Franko's cross from a free kick on the left side of midfield was met in the air by defender Sasha Andrews who powered her header in off the left post. It was her first goal of the season.

Game Notes:

Ottawa had their chances. At 16' Rhian Wilkinson fed Amy Vermeulen who is in on goal. She slipped it past Erin McLeod, but defender Sasha Andrews got back to slide and clear the rolling ball off the line. The Fury had another breakaway at 53' as Rhian Wilkinson outpaced the defence, but Erin McLeod came out quickly and blocked the shot with her feet. It was McLeod's only save.

Milbrett has scored in all six home games that she has played for Vancouver. Erin McLeod's career record for Vancouver is now 28W-0L-5T.

Article from the Wayback Machine.