Independence face road challenge against Flash

The Independence have been struggling to score goals lately, and they are about to take on the No. 1 team in Women's Professional Soccer.

The undefeated Western New York Flash (6-0-2) are scheduled to host the Independence on Sunday, but Independence midfielder Christina DiMartino isn't overly concerned.

The last time the teams met, at Widener University, the Flash won, 2-1. DiMartino said it's difficult to beat a team twice in WPS because the competition is so evenly matched.

It's also hard to win on the road, but she isn't discouraged.

"We haven't played [in Rochester] yet," said the midfielder from Massapequa, N.Y. "They are a great team. We let in an easy goal [in the first game]. The second goal was a [penalty kick]. We could have fought a little harder. We let down. We lost sight of what we wanted to do in terms of attacking."

Attacking is what the Independence do best, according to coach Paul Riley, who divides his players into wizards and warriors. The wizards create opportunities for the warriors, who score or defend.

DiMartino is a wizard.

"She is the best creative player we have," Riley said of DiMartino after his team lost to the Flash on May 29.

Riley's philosophy is that the best form of defense is an attacking offense. To do that, a team needs to score goals and defend well. After seven games, the Independence have scored nine goals and allowed eight. Their record is 2-2-3.

"If you have two wins in seven games, yes, it's disappointing," DiMartino said. "Hopefully, we can turn that around. We are only about halfway through the season. We have to stay positive and get more wins on the board."

The Independence have 12 games to go in a 19-game regular season.

DiMartino, a 5-foot-2 midfielder, has two goals, which tie her with forward Tasha Kai for the most on the team.

The Independence failed to score against Atlanta in a 0-0 draw on Saturday at home.