Lightning Lose in Final Seconds to Chicago Red Eleven 0-1

Published on July 1, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Wednsday, July 1, 2009) - This was the first game that the Minnesota Lighting have lost at home in the 2009 campaign. The Chicago Red Eleven shut out Minnesota when Christy Ehrdardt scored late in the second half stoppage time. Each team played with fierce aggression as both the Red Eleven and Lighting went full throttle on every play. Although the Red Eleven are leading the Midwest Division, the Lighting was easily able to keep up. It was not until the very last seconds that Chicago managed to put a ball in the back of the net.

The game started with each team testing the waters of their opponent as most of the early game play was decided in the middle of the field. Minnesota's goalkeeper Ann Gleason and Chicago's keeper Lindsey Carstews did not face any real danger until the 16th minute. Carstews tried to catch a corner kick but she could not hold onto the ball and Kaitlin Wagner went for a try but spun Carstews around causing her to drop the ball. Carstews frantically searched for the loose ball as Chicago's defenders successfully prevented any Lightning player to put a shot on goal. In the end, the Red Eleven was able to clear the ball keeping the match scoreless.

Chelsea Cline sprung Caroline Smith to a break away attempt at a goal in the 19th minute. Cline slipped a pass through Red Eleven's defenders hitting Smith in stride and she was off to the races. Smith slowed down to take a shot but the defense caught up to her forcing Smith to take a hasty shot. The ball was on target but Carstews was there to make the save.

Minnesota let an opportunity at an open net slip through their fingers in the 43rd minute. Kelsey Hood pounded a free kick that slipped through her hands leaving the net wide open as the ball rolled through the box. The Lightning was not able to put a foot on the ball before the Red Eleven cleared it and the open net opportunity dwindled away.

The first half did not allow either team to have a clear edge over the other and both sides left the field with a desire to break the seal of the game.

The Lightning narrowly escaped a Red Eleven advance in the 51st minute of play. Gleason could not reclaim her rebound and it bounced back to Becca Ford. The play happened quickly enough so that Gleason could not effectively get back into position when Ford took her shot. Luckily for Minnesota, Ford's shot sailed wide right keeping the game even.

The Red Eleven had a prime opportunity in the 87th minute. In an attempt of a last minute goal, Fisher took a free kick from left on the penalty box and centered the ball but allowing Minnesota to send away from danger. Keli McLaughlin took possession of the cleared ball and wound up to take a shot. Her attempt went straight up but became risky when it dropped in the six yard box. Gleason crashed into two Chicago forwards but was able to hold onto the ball making the save.

The Red Eleven managed to score the game winning goal in the last seconds of the game. Christy Ehrdardt was credited for the goal when she headed a pass from Lauren Switzer that Gleason was not able to get to. The shot was looking like it was going to miss over the goal but it dropped into the upper right corner.

This was the first home loss that the Lightning has logged this season and they set their sights on the Kalamazoo Rage.

"As a team, we worked really hard together," said Minnesota midfielder Chelsea Cline. "Everybody gave it their all in the last minutes. It was a devastating loss but I think we played very well as a team."

The Lightning round out the home portion of the 2009 campaign on Friday, July 3 when they host Kalamazoo Rage at 7:05 p.m. After Friday, Minnesota is on the road for the last four matches of the regular season starting off with Fort Wayne Fever.

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USL First Division Stories from July 1, 2009


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