Credit Chicago Red Stars
By Amelia Hirtle
The Chicago Red Stars were coming off back-to-back losses as they traveled to Segra Field to face a Washington side that was unbeaten in 5 games. The Red Stars were missing Tierna Davidson and Alyssa Naeher as both players are in Connecticut with the national team, preparing for the Olympics.
Each team had a few chances early on, but neither could connect in front of the net. However, in the 33rd minute, Chicago earned a corner that led to a goal. The Washington Spirit keeper Aubrey Bledsoe got her glove on a ball that was likely to go out of bounds. Mallory Pugh took the corner and Kayla Sharples got a head on it to send it into the back of the net. The goal was later changed to an own goal by Spirit midfielder, Julia Roddar.
Early in the second half, Kealia Watt attempted a shot from the left corner of the box, but it was punched away by the Spirit keeper. In the 75th minute, Chicago forwards Pugh, Watt, and Hill put together some savvy ball movement that ended in a shot by Watt that hit the crossbar and bounced into the net, but it wasn’t called a goal.
Cassie Miller, who got the start in goal in Naeher’s absence, played in her first regular season game for the Red Stars. She played two matches for the team during this year’s Challenge Cup. After the game, Cassie Miller about her thoughts after her first regular season start. She credited the backline and the number of blocked shots the team had. Kayla Sharples said Miller was being humble. “I think she had a fantastic game today. She had one incredible save right off the bat in the second half and kept us in the game and kept us moving forward and pushing and wanting to get that second goal.
The Red Stars will look to build off this match as they return home to face the Houston Dash on Sunday, July 11th, 2021, at 5 PM CT.