The Chicago Red Stars scored a late first-half goal, and held on to defeat San Diego Wave 1-0. It was their first league win since June 5th, and first win at home since May 27th. The Red Stars survived several chances early on from San Diego, including a shot off the post from former Red Star Rachel Hill. They came back with a few chances of their own, with Bianca St. Georges also catching the woodwork. The first half was a physical affair, seeing yellow cards issued to the Red Stars’ Ava Cook, and San Diego’s Taylor Kornieck. Kornieck was a wrecking ball on the pitch, finding herself on the giving and receiving end of physical play all evening. San Diego appeared to pull ahead with the lead in the 40’ with a brilliant build-up of play off a free kick that saw San Diego pick their chance to send a long ball into the mixer. Makenzy Doniak sent the ball to the back of the net, but VAR ultimately called it back for offside.
The Red Stars then got a chance of their own. Tatumn Milazzo sent a cross to Ella Stevens, who headed the ball home to give Chicago the lead. “It felt really good. After they had theirs called back for the offside, it was good to get the goal and get the momentum moving our way.”
Stevens’ fourth goal of the season was all the Red Stars needed. They played with a confidence rarely seen this season. “We’ve been trying to get that front group to have the confidence to go after people.” Coach Petrucelli explained after the match. “You’re now really seeing Bianca (St. Georges) grow into that freedom… and you’re starting to see what Ella (Stevens) is capable of.”
Emily Boyd was the hero of the second half, making many acrobatic stops to claim a clean sheet in her first league start since her knee injury last July.
“I love making foot saves.” Boyd laughed in the post-game presser. “I feel like I had so many people behind me, I just needed to make the first save, and then we were gonna get the second one.”
The Red Stars return to the pitch in Houston on Friday to play the Dash at 7:30 CDT.