The Western New York Flash will be the official Grand Marshals & Starters for this season’s running of the Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen.  2013 marks the 5^th season for the Flash.  In 2009 and 2010, this Professional Women’s Soccer Team was a part of United Soccer Leagues W-League, within the Midwest Division of the Central Conference.  During the 2010 season, the Flash captured the W-League national title vs 38 other North American Teams.  For 2011, the Flash moved to the league known as Women’s Professional Soccer.  During the 2011 season, the Flash finished the season 14-2-3 as Regular Season Champions and WPS Champions. Then for the 2012 season, the Flash joined the Women’s Professional Soccer League Elite Division.  The team ended the season as League Champions with a record of 11-2-3.   For 2013, the Flash have now joined the newly formed National Women’s Soccer League.  As of mid June the team’s record was 5-2-2, which placed the Flash in 3^rd place in the League Standings. 

The Roster of the Flash is sprinkled with National Team Players from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Spain.  The most prominent name on the Flash roster is Western New York’s own hometown hero Abby Wambach.  Abby was named the 2012 FIFA Women’s Player of the Year.  Wambach grew up and played her High School formative years in Rochester, NY.  Now Abby has come full circle and plays for the Flash in Sahlen’s Stadium located in Rochester, NY.

Beyond waving the Green Flag for the start of the Sahlen’s 6 Hours, The Flash players will be involved in several activities during the weekend.   The players will be the pre-race Fan Walk on pit road.  During the race, they will be strolling around the track signing autographs for the soccer fanatics at the track. Then at the end of the race, the young women will be assisting in handing out the trophy’s to the race winners.  Plus, the players will be in attendance to help judge the Saturday evening Sahlen Hot Dog Eating Contest as well as attending the evening’s concert.

“Everyone at Sahlen’s is honored to have the Western New York Flash team as our Official Starter for the Sahlen’s 6 Hours.  Beyond Hot Dogs, the Sahlen family has two passions, Racing and Soccer.  So it’s really great to be able to tie those two passions into one weekend.  This should be a great weekend for the Flash players to be able to meet the Western New York sports enthusiasts in a brand new environment.  We are working to integrate the Flash into the whole weekend’s activities.” states Joe Sahlen.

Head Coach for the Flash is Aaran Lines.  Aaran is an experienced international player with 41 appearances for his New Zealand Full National squad, 9 with the U-23 squad, 8 with the U-20 and 10 with the U-17 squad.  Lines participated in the 1999 and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup with the New Zealand National Team.  Coach Lines’ currently earned a UEFA B Coaching License from his past coaching endeavors in America and abroad in Germany & Australia.

“I am very excited about the opportunity be a part of the Western New York Flash from the ground up last year.  The Buffalo area has a very rich soccer heritage.  This is especially true of the youth and women’s programs within the community.  As we work to further refine our roster, the goal is to be able to capitalize upon the strong pool of Western New York talent to form an explosive, exciting team for the Western New York fans to come out and cheer on.” – states Coach Aaron Lines.

“We are excited and honored to that the Western New York Flash have been chosen as the official Grand Marshals for the Sahlen’s 6 Hours.  I have attended the event several times, and it is always an exciting time.” – states Team President Alex Sahlen.

Fans can keep up with all the latest Western New York Flash at their web site www.wnyflash.com . The web site includes several interactive sections, including ticket ordering.  And for the 2013 season, the Flash will be playing their home matches at at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, New York.  The Soccer exclusive stadium accomodates over 15,000 fans, with seating in up close and personal European style stadium feel.