Photo Credit: Racing Louisville
Los Angeles, CA | May 28 | Kelly Landaverde – @kel_una
Paul Riley’s squad secured a big game win over Holly’s Racing at WakeMed Soccer Park. With goals from their captain Abby Erceg, Lynn Williams, Debinha, and a brace from Hailie Mace.
The two-time consecutive year champions played in a changing climate, from no rain to rain. Increasingly chilly temperatures were felt along with pouring heavy rain during the second half. This home game marked the return of the USWNT midfielder Sam Mewis, who was playing earlier this year in Europe with Manchester City. She was ranked the #1 player in the world by ESPN. Racing had picked up its first win in their franchise’s history last week at home against the Spirit. But just seven minutes in, off a corner the captain Abby Erceg opened the scoring sheet for the home team on her header.
In the second half Lynn Williams, found the back of the net in the 64th minute of gameplay, after receiving a great assist from her Brazilian teammate Debinha. Five minutes later McDonald’s header made its way across for an easy tap in from Debihna who also scored her goal, and the third of the night. Hailie Mace the second half substitute would top it off with two back to back goals in the 75th minute, also received a pass from Debinha, and she got a first touch, and fired a shot. Burying her first goal of the season to join her fellow goalscoring teammates. In the 90th minute, she’ll seal the win; the five-goal advantage, and her brace after Ryan Williams sent in an aerial volley cross from the right flank. She earned the midfielder Budweiser Player of the match honors, and their goalkeeper Casey Murphy recorded her second clean sheet this season.
Hailie Mace: “It was a huge relief because I think I’ve been playing with a weight on my shoulders…Paul said to me before I came in ‘just play like yourself and get your first goal,’ and I guess that’s what I did tonight, it was fun.” Lynn Williams: “I think that this game [represented] the Courage…we really were focusing on putting away our opportunities, and tonight that’s what we did. We made a point to put the game away.” Paul Riley: “I think [Debinha and Sam] were exceptional tonight, Sam being on the field allowed both O’Sullivan and Solaun to get on the ball more. Sam gives us a different lift and a different look: she made great exchanges vertically with Havana and horizontally with Debinha, and really our attacking play up. It’s great to have her back, she’s phenomenal.”
Even though the visitors lost, there were some positive takeaways during individual moments throughout the game. Rookie fullback Emily Fox made 68 touches, and also 3 high team tackles. Savanna McCaskill also kept on trying to be dangerous, and in the 72nd minute she sent a shot from distance that was poked over the bar by Murphy. The Courage will now face the Chicago Red Stars on June 5th as well as Racing will play against the Thorns the same day.
“You come down here — you play against a team that’s one of the best teams in the world the last number of years,” said Racing coach Christy Holly. “It’s a great opportunity to step up, or sometimes you feel the nerves on playing on such a level. “…Tonight we got a good lesson on ruthlessness from the opposition. We’ll take that. We’ll take those lesson on board. We’ll absorb these lessons, and we’ll add it to our game.”
“It’s a young team, and we’re going to have to learn from these types of experiences,” McCaskill said. “They are one of the best teams in the conference and have some really great players, but we’re not satisfied with this. This is not going to be who we are, but it’s gotta be a learning moment. We have to continue to grow and get better and put together the pieces for the next game.” “It’s a young team, and we’re going to have to learn from these types of experiences,” McCaskill said. “They are one of the best teams in the conference and have some really great players, but we’re not satisfied with this. This is not going to be who we are, but it’s gotta be a learning moment. We have to continue to grow and get better and put together the pieces for the next game.”