Breakers 4, Flash 2 - Boston Wins For First Time in Seven NWSL Games

For the first time since June 11, the Boston Breakers claimed three points in NWSL play with a 4-2 win at Rochester's Sahlen's Stadium over the Western New York Flash.

The win ended a seven game winless streak for the Breakers that started well over a month ago and included a 2-1 loss to the Flash.

Despite Boston creating a few early chances, it was the Flash who got on the scoreboard first when Jasmyne Spencer headed home a Carli Lloyd header from close range to give the Flash a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.

But the Breakers kept at it and earned their equalizer in the 28th minute through Lianne Sanderson who settled a pass from Kristie Mewis, rounded Flash defender Brittany Taylor and fired home to level the score at 1-1. A minute later, Taylor again was put in a bad spot, this time conceding a penalty after fouling Breakers forward Jazmine Reeves. Heather O'Reilly slotted the penalty into the left corner and put the Breakers ahead 2-1.

The Breakers scored again in the 39th minute, with O'Reilly finding Reeves on a set-piece throw in with Reeves heading home for the Breakers third goal of the night. The Flash were left shorthanded on the play with Katherine Reynolds receiving treatment for an ankle injury.

Despite the 3-1 halftime deficit, the Flash came out swinging and clawed back into the game in the 54th minute, when Lloyd scored following a corner kick with an assist from defender Haley Palmer, her first professional point.

With the score at 3-2 the Breakers continued to defend and weather the storm, led by keeper Alyssa Naeher who had six saves in the second half, including a diving effort in the 82nd minute on a goal-bound header from Lloyd.

But the Breakers would seal the game, countering in the 86th minute when O'Reilly received a pass from Maddy Evans and raced in on goal and slotted home past Flash keeper Kelsey Wys for her second of the game and the Breakers fourth goal of the match.

The win was the Breakers fourth of the season, but they still sit at the bottom of the NWSL table with a 4-13-2 record. The Flash are in sixth with a 7-10-3 record in 2014. The Breakers next game will be a rematch against the Western New York Flash on Sunday, August 3rd at 630PM EST from Harvard Stadium.