Also in today’ roundup, Bibiana Steinhaus to become first woman referee in men’s Bundesliga and the Spirit part ways with Crystal Thomas
Lyon’s dominance of French soccer continued with a French Cup win over PSG to complete a 6th straight domestic double.
Lyon have added another trophy, surviving a lengty penalty shootout to edge rivals Paris Saint-Germain for a 6th consecutive French Cup. Ada Hergerberg hit the winning penalty after Ouleymata Sarr’s kick was stopped by Meline Gerard. The match ended in a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. There is no extra time in the French Cup.
PSG struck early when Cristiane put them on top just 6 minutes in. But before the first half was out, Saki Kumigai equalized from the spot. Kumigai later had a chance to seal it in penalties but she hit the post with the would-be Cup winner. That was after Irene Paredes fired high meaning the anchor kickers for both sides failed to even force the opposing keeper to make a save.
Misses by Paredes and Kumigai were the only misses through seven rounds until Sarr was stopped in the 8th, setting the stage for Hegerberg.
?? Full penalty shoot out! Congrats to #OL. #OLPSG pic.twitter.com/k7mVaNC2QM
— WoSo Comps (@WoSoComps) May 19, 2017
The sides will meet again in 13 days time in Cardiff Wales for the UEFA Women’s Champions League Trophy. Lyon has now won at least the domestic double six years running and will be bidding to complete a second straight treble. PSG meanwhile slipped to third in the domestic league and are out of next year’s UWCL unless they beat Lyon on June 1 in Cardiff to qualify as defending champions.
Alex Morgan was unavailable for the match due to a hamstring injury but remains hopeful of being ready for the UWCL final.
Germany promotes female referee to men’s Bundesliga
Bibiana Steinhaus has been promoted to the men’s Bundesliga and will become the first woman to referee a match there next season.
German’s male Bundesliga announced four new referees for the 2017-2018 season and one of them is Bibiana Steinhaus. The 38-year old police officer from Haonover will become the first woman ever to referee a top flight men’s match in Germany. Steinhaus was in the middle for the 2015 Women’s World Cup final and will referee next month’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final.
Steinhaus has been a women’s Bundesliga referee since 1999. In 2000 she came to the United States to referee in the International Military Games in Fort Eustis, Virginia.
“Her hard work has driven her longevity and all of us who are her colleagues and have worked with her at various tournaments over the years couldn’t be prouder of her,” Sandra Serafini, who worked with Steinhaus at the International Military Games and is now the Strategic Initiatives Manager for PRO, told The Equalizer.
Spirit waive Crystal Thomas
Crystal Thomas made one appearance for the Spirit.
The Washington Spirit have waived Crystal Thomas.
Thomas spent preseason with the Spirit and was signed to a contract on April 27 after Joanna Lohman was placed on the season-ending injury list with a torn ACL. She made her first and only appearance for the club three days later in a 1-0 loss to the Houston Dash.
The Spirit added Mallory Pugh to the active roster this week and are anxiously awaiting her professional debut on Saturday. They are also expecting Caprice Dydasco back from the same injury soon although she is listed as out on this weekend’s injury report and remains on the 45-day disabled list.
Thomas was in the season-opening U-23 camp in January.
