NWSL Champions WNY Flash Announce End-of-Year Awards
This celebrated and accomplished women’s soccer team deserves recognition for an outstanding season, delivery great soccer action for fans and clearly demonstrating deep passion and determination. Congratulations to Head Coach Paul Riley, his staff and all the players who gave so much in this NWSL Season.
NWSL Soccer News: The 2016 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Champions Western New York Flash are celebrating their won with an impressive series of awards concluding their season after their victory over their rival Washington Spirit.
According to the NWSL, this was a fairytale ending for the WNY Flash — even as their head coach Paul Riley was forced to watch the action from the stands, the team battled fearlessly to comeback to win the the championship in PKs.
The Flash’s grit and confidence powered through when others would have failed.
One of the best statistics of the season — The Western New York Flash never led in the 2016 NWSL Championship Game before they went on to lift the championship trophy following a 3-2 penalty shootout victory after a 2-2 draw with the Washington Spirit — only illustrates the power of this team.
The 3 saves made by Western New York Flash goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo in the penalty shootout of the 2016 NWSL Championship brought home the title of champion but it was a collective team effort.
Here are the Western New York Flash awards:
McCall Zerboni – Community Award
Zerboni, 29, was one of the veterans on the youthful Flash roster, and her impact in the community was well-known throughout the organization and Western New York. The UCLA grad was constantly found at community events – Roswell Park, Camp Good Days, etc. – and was helping in any way she could. On the field, Zerboni contributed one assist in her thirteen matched played after signing with the Flash in June.
Makenzy Doniak – Rookie of the Year
Doniak, 21, made 22 appearances and 17 starts in her first NWSL season after being selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. TheUniversity of Virginia graduate recorded 4 goals and 4 assists in her 1,292 minutes, including a crucial goal in the Flash’s 4-3 semifinal win versus the Portland Thorns.
Abby Dahlkemper – Defender of the Year
Dahlkemper, 23, started 22 matches and recorded 2,040 minutes during the season, recording 2 goals and an assist. The defender also earned her first call up to the United States Women’s National Team roster last Thursday and converted her penalty kick in the Flash’s win over the Washington Spirit in the 2016 NWSL Championship.
Lynn Williams – Golden Boot
Looking to improve on her stellar rookie season in 2015 that saw her record 4 goals and 4 assists and win the 2015 Offensive Player of the Year Award, Lynn Williams had breakthrough sophomore campaign that saw her earn the club’s Golden Boot Award. Williams led the Flash and the NWSL with 11 goals, which was enough for her to win the 2016 NWSL Golden Boot Award as well as the 2016 NWSL Most Valuable Player.
Williams ranked fourth in the NWSL with 5 assists to go along with her 11 goals. The most impressive part of the Pepperdine product’s 2016 campaign was her ability to score in clutch moments. Williams scored 3 goals in the playoffs, with all three coming in extra time. She first scored in the 98’ and 104’ of the Flash’s semifinal match against Portland, lifting Western New York to a 4-3 win.
In the 2016 NWSL Championship, Williams was able to put a header into the back of net that tied the match at 2-2, sending the game to penalty kicks. Williams established herself as one of the NWSL’s top players during the 2016 campaign, earning her a deserved call-up to the USWNT.
Jessica McDonald – Most Valuable Player
After an incredible first season with the Flash, Jessica McDonald has been named the club’s Most Valuable Player for 2016. A five-year veteran of the NWSL, McDonald recorded 10 goals during 19 starts. The North Carolina Tar Heel alumna finished the regular season 3rd in league scoring behind teammate Lynn Williams and Houston Dash’s Kealia Ohai who both finished with 11 goals.
McDonald finished the season 2nd in the league with 7 assists, three behind league leader, Tobin Heath of the Portland Thorns. The Phoenix native finished the season with 61 shots (3rd-best in the NWSL) and 34 shots-on-goal (Tied for 2nd-best in NWSL).
In the Flash’s postseason run, McDonald recorded an assist in both matches, including the assist on Williams’ game-tying goal in the final minute of extra time during the NWSL Championship. McDonald served as a team leader and was an integral part of the team on the field and off the field in route to the team’s 11-6-5 record and first NWSL Championship.
Photo Credit: National Women’s Soccer League
