WPS Chicago Stars FC

Chicago Red Stars Top Washington, Cap off Season with Back-To-Back Wins

September 5, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Red Stars ended their 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season with a first in franchise history -- back-to-back victories.

Casey Nogueira and Megan Rapinoe each netted a goal for Chicago as the Red Stars defeated the Washington Freedom, 2-1, on Sunday in WPS play in front of a Toyota Park crowd of 4,067.

With their 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Independence on Wednesday and their Sunday win over Washington, the Red Stars garnered their second straight win -- something the team was unable to do throughout this season and the inaugural 2009 campaign.

The Red Stars wrap up the season with a 7-11-6 record, while Washington falls to 7-9-7. The Freedom could have locked up the fourth and final playoff position with a win over Chicago, but now they are forced to secure a positive result against the Atlanta Beat next Saturday in order to clinch.

Following a scoreless first half, the Red Stars struck first against the Freedom when Veronica Boquete contributed the first of her two assists when she slotted the ball to Nogueira in the 50th minute. Nogueira snuck in between a pair of Washington defenders, shot to the far left post and the ball bounced off the inside of the post and into the back of the net for a 1-0 Red Stars lead.

Washington's Sarah Huffman had two yellow cards, the second coming in the 87th minute, and the Freedom had to play the remainder of the match shorthanded.

Chicago quickly capitalized as Rapinoe tallied her first goal of the season in second-half stoppage time for a 2-0 lead.

The Freedom responded, however, with a Beverly Goebel goal about 1 minute later. Washington continued to pressure the Red Stars as 4 minutes of stoppage time was added on down the stretch. But Chicago contained the Freedom the rest of the way.

Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden only needed to make one direct save, but Washington did have plenty of attacking moments where Loyden stepped up to intercept the ball before the Freedom could complete their attack.

Washington goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris made nine saves as the Red Stars regularly peppered her with shots. Chicago held a 22-10 advantage in shots.

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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from September 5, 2010


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