Dominant Chicago Downs Boston 3-0 Behind Huerta Brace

June 18, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Chicago Stars FC News Release

Chicago, Ill. - The Chicago Red Stars reclaimed first place in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) standings on Saturday evening, courtesy of a 3-0 victory over visiting Boston Breakers that saw Sofia Huerta score once in each half and defender Casey short add another goal after the break. In an overall impressive performance by the home team, midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo bagged a pair of assists while goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher recorded her sixth shutout in her eighth game of 2016.

The Red Stars did not waste any time in grabbing the lead, as Huerta added her name to the score sheet in just the third minute of play, Vanessa DiBernardo releasing a low drive from the left side of the penalty area that was tapped home from close range by her fellow attacker. A mere eight minutes later, Chicago's U.S. ace Christen Press had her first close look of the match, as she took the opposition by surprise with a quick turn just outside the box and a right-footed rocket that whistled narrowly over the bar.

Left back Short thought she had doubled her side's lead on a Press through-ball just after the half-hour mark, but her finish past onrushing goalkeeper Libby Stout was disallowed for offside. Press was involved in yet another promising play moments from the halftime whistle, sending a low ball in from the left side of the area that took a dangerous deflection off a Boston player's leg at the near post and ended up in the outside netting.

If some of the fans at Toyota Park had missed striker Huerta's first-half tally because they had been looking for their seats, even more of them no doubt missed the 23-year-old's second of the match, which came less than two minutes after the break. Put through by Alyssa Mautz on the right edge of the area, Huerta released a powerful rocket that took a slight touch off the fingertips of the fully extended Stout and found its way inside the far post to make it 2-0.

Having previously been called back for offside, Chicagoland native Short would not be denied in the 62nd minute. Press' beautiful curling free-kick from just outside the box had forced Stout to leave her feet and parry the ball wide, with Huerta doing well to keep the attack alive and finding Vanessa DiBernardo on the left side of the penalty area. The 2015 NWSL assists leader sent somewhat of an awkward effort toward goal and Short did well to slide into the ball for a determined first-time strike from short range.

Five minutes after the tally, Press had another outstanding opportunity, as she received the ball on the right side of the box before taking a couple of deft touches and firing on frame to force a point-blank block from Stout. After a flurry of substitution, California native Press then came close to finding the net one last time, on a play that summed up the game for the league's current top scorer. On a counter-attack, she sprinted in on goal without any defenders in sight and tried to round Stout, only to be forced to the right and see her subsequent effort from a tight angle touched behind by the Boston netminder.

Chicago Red Stars Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher	Chicago Red Stars Defender Casey Short Celebrates a Goal	Chicago Red Stars Celebrate
Chicago Red Stars Defender Arin Gilliland

National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 18, 2016

• Dominant Chicago Downs Boston 3-0 Behind Huerta Brace - Chicago Stars FC
• Pride and Spirit Play for More Than Themselves on Saturday Night - Orlando Pride
• Early Surge Pushes Spirit Past Pride, 2-0 - Washington Spirit
• Seattle Reign FC to Face Sky Blue FC on the Road this Sunday - Seattle Reign FC

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Chicago Stars FC Stories

• Chicago Stars FC Drops Points to Portland Thorns FC on the Road, 1-0
• Preview: Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Stars FC
• Quotes: Chicago Stars FC Media Availability with Goalkeeper, Halle Mackiewicz, and Interim Head Coach, Masaki Hemmi
• Julia Grosso and Natalia Kuikka Earn National Team Call-Ups
• Ludmila Wins National Women's Soccer League Goal of the Week