By Rachel Huser
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (AREA SPORTS NETWORK)– The Chicago Red Stars kicked off the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) strong with a 2-1 victory versus Racing Louisville FC on a rainy evening on April 30.
The Red Stars started the scoring in the first minute of the match. Ella Stevens opened the bill off a header by a Red Stars’ corner kick.
After a stellar save by Alyssa Naeher almost ten minutes later, Racing Louisville FC answers. Emily Fox slips behind the Red Stars’ defense and slips one behind Naeher after an unfortunate deflection off a defender.
The scoring didn’t stop there. In the 25th minute, Bianca St-Georges, after hitting the post, buries one deep from close range.
The score remains the same until a rain delay in the 30th minute halts plays for close to an hour and a half. It wasn’t until just before 9 p.m. when the two teams finished out the rest of the first half, and the score remained the same.
The Red Stars made a sub at halftime. Ava Cook goes on the pitch in replacement of Amanda Kowalski.
The second half starts with a yellow card to Danny Colaprico and some stellar play by the Red Stars’ defense paired with a couple of spectacular saves from Naeher.
The Red Stars make three more substitutions throughout the remainder of the second half. Alyssa Mautz entered the game for St-Georges, Rachel Hill for Stevens, and Jill Aguilera for Sarah Griffith.
After three added minutes, the Chicago Red Stars hold Racing Louisville FC to a scoreless second half, earning a 2-1 win to start their regular season undefeated.
The Red Stars’ next match is 7 p.m. CST Saturday, May 7 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL against the Washington Spirit.