D.C. United beat the Virginia Beach Piranhas 3-0 Saturday night to advance to the Eastern Conference Championship on Sunday. Hayley Siegel, Lianne Sanderson and Joanna Lohman all recorded goals.
Siegel lead the D.C. attack tonight, scoring the eventual game winning goal in the 23rd minute on a set piece. She also recorded an assist on Sanderson’s strike in first half stoppage time. Lohman added an assurance goal in the 80th minute to secure the win for D.C. United.
D.C. United controlled possession throughout much of the night, yet the Virginia Beach managed to get a few decent chances as well. One of the best opportunities of the game for the Piranhas came in the 39th minute. Esther Anaywu broke away for the United defenders leaving only keeper Didi Haracic to beat. Unfortunately for the Piranhas, Anaywu’s shot went wide.
Haracic and the United backline managed to thwart the Piranhas’ offensive and record a shutout for the seven time this season. D.C. United will hope record an eighth tomorrow against the Charlotte Lady Eagles. Charlotte defeated the Long Island Rough Riders 4-0 in the first semifinal.
Siegel expressed her excitement about the Eastern Conference Championship game.
“Now we’re in a position where we get to play a new team and that’s exciting” she said. “In this league, you play the teams (in your division) a lot then it becomes more a match up …now (in the Conference Final), you just go out and play soccer.”
The Eastern Conference Final will take place at 4 p.m. ET at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The winner of Sunday’s match will advance to the W-League Final Four in Ottawa next week.
