Spokane Zephyr fail to rally in loss to Dallas Trinity
Apr. 4—DALLAS, Texas — The Spokane Zephyr surrendered three goals for the first time since February and failed to rally in a 3-1 defeat to Dallas Trinity at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday. Sixth-ranked Spokane (6-9-8, 26 points) entered the match unbeaten in its last two games, as it continues to fight for one of eight available playoff bids with five regular-season games left.
No. 4 Dallas (9-8-5, 32 points), which earned its first win since February, clamped down the Zephyr's scoring leaders, Lena Silano (six), Tori Waldeck (three), and Ginger Fontenot (two) to seven combined shots — 13 total. The Zephyr and Trinity exchanged early attempts in the third and sixth minutes.
And neither side could muster another opportunity until the 14th minute, when Silano's effort was saved by keeper Tyler McCarney. Just over a minute later, defender Kelsey Oyler surrendered an own goal, and Spokane found itself in a 1-0 deficit. Samar Guidry fed Heather Stainbrook in the penalty box, and Stainbrook fired toward the center of the frame.
Oyler attempted to block it, but it bounced off her foot into the back of the net. Trinity dominated possession with 62. 7% at half, and while the Zephyr struggled to take care of the ball, they did create five scoring chances including three shots on target in the first period.
Spokane failed to convert quality opportunities in the 35th and 37th minutes. Silano found a space from 20 yards away and curved an attempt but it was blocked by McCarney. Two minutes later, Silano stole the ball from three Trinity defenders and tapped it to Waldeck.