11
Sonis Steals Point for Summit FC in Boston Thriller
Denver Summit Settle for Draw Against Boston as Playoff Push Continues
The Big Picture
Denver Summit played to a 1-1 draw against Boston Legacy FC on Sunday night—a result that feels like treading water for a team desperate to climb the standings. While the Summit controlled most of the match, they couldn’t turn their dominance into a win, leaving them stuck in 11th place and four points away from a playoff spot.
Important Point: In the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League), only the top teams make the playoffs. Every point matters!
Meet the Colorado Connection
Two homegrown Colorado stars are making waves in the league’s scoring race:
- Janine Sonis (Denver Summit)
- Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns)
Both players are now tied for 5th place in the Golden Boot race (the award for the league’s top scorer) with 7 goals each this season.
How the Match Unfolded
First Half: Denver Dominates, Boston Scores
- Denver had more possession, more shots, and better chances
- Boston goalkeeper Casey Murphy made incredible saves—even from a seated position ("from her keester"!)
- Against the run of play, Boston struck first:
- Murphy (the goalkeeper!) launched a long pass downfield
- Sammy Smith timed her run perfectly to stay onside
- Smith let the ball bounce, then slotted it between Summit keeper Abby Smith’s legs
- Result: Boston leads 1-0 at halftime + Murphy earns her first-ever assist
Second Half: The Equalizer
- Denver kept pushing relentlessly
- 70th minute: Tash Flint drew contact in the penalty box → Penalty kick awarded
- 72nd minute: Janine Sonis stepped up and buried her 4th straight penalty kick this season
- Final 20 minutes: Denver threatened but couldn’t find the winning goal
What This Means for Denver
| Stat | Status |
|---|---|
| Current Position | 11th place |
| Playoff Gap | 4 points behind |
| Recent Form | Competitive performances, but points "left on the table" |
| Coach’s Message | Patience (Nick Cushing’s rallying cry) |
Important Point: "Leaving points on the table" means the team played well enough to win but only walked away with a draw (1 point) instead of a win (3 points).
The Gauntlet: Three Games in Seven Days
Sunday was just the appetizer. The main course arrives Wednesday:
Upcoming Challenge: North Carolina Courage
- When: Wednesday, 8:00 PM at Centennial Stadium
- Their Star: Ashley Sanchez — 2nd in Golden Boot race with 10 goals
- Their Momentum: Coming off a 5-0 demolition of Orlando on Friday
- Difficulty Level: Very High
Denver Summit Remaining 2026 Schedule
August 2026
- Sun, Aug 2 – vs. Boston Legacy FC (Home) – Result: 1-1 Draw
- Wed, Aug 5 – vs. North Carolina Courage (Home) – 8:00 PM
- Sat, Aug 8 – vs. Utah Royals (Home) – 2:00 PM
- Fri, Aug 14 – @ San Diego Wave FC (Away) – 8:00 PM
- Sat, Aug 22 – @ Portland Thorns FC (Away) – 6:45 PM
- Sat, Aug 29 – vs. Chicago Stars FC (Home) – 6:45 PM
September 2026
- Sun, Sep 6 – vs. Gotham FC (Home) – 12:00 PM
- Fri, Sep 11 – @ Angel City FC (Away) – 8:00 PM
- Wed, Sep 16 – vs. Bay FC (Home) – 7:30 PM
- Sat, Sep 19 – vs. Seattle Reign (Home) – 6:45 PM
- Sat, Sep 26 – @ Kansas City Current (Away) – 10:30 AM
October 2026
- Sun, Oct 4 – @ Chicago Stars FC (Away) – 2:00 PM
- Sat, Oct 17 – vs. Angel City FC (Home) – 6:45 PM
- Sat, Oct 24 – vs. Racing Louisville (Home) – 4:30 PM
November 2026
- Sun, Nov 1 – @ North Carolina Courage (Away) – 3:00 PM
Summary
- Denver Summit drew 1-1 with Boston despite dominating play
- Janine Sonis scored her 4th straight penalty to tie the game
- Two Colorado natives (Sonis & Wilson) are tied for 5th in Golden Boot race (7 goals each)
- Summit sits 11th in table, 4 points from playoffs — time is running short
- Massive test Wednesday vs. North Carolina Courage (8 PM, Centennial Stadium)
- Coach Nick Cushing preaches patience — but the schedule doesn’t get easier
FAQ
What is the Golden Boot?
The Golden Boot is the award given to the top goal scorer in the NWSL each season. Think of it like the "leading scorer" title in basketball or hockey.
Why is a goalkeeper getting an assist a big deal?
Goalkeepers almost never get assists because their job is to stop shots, not create them. Casey Murphy’s long pass to Sammy Smith was a rare, spectacular play — like a football quarterback throwing a touchdown pass!
What does "against the run of play" mean?
It means Boston scored even though Denver was clearly the better team at that moment. Denver was attacking, controlling the ball, and creating chances — then Boston scored on their only real opportunity.
How many points does a team get for a win vs. a draw?
- Win = 3 points
- Draw = 1 point
- Loss = 0 points
This is why "leaving points on the table" hurts — Denver should have gotten 3 but only got 1.
Can Denver still make the playoffs?
Yes, but it’s tight. They’re 4 points back with 14 games left. They’ll need to start turning draws into wins — starting with Wednesday’s huge match against North Carolina.
