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WPS Chicago Stars FC

Red Stars draw 1-1

April 11, 2009 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


BOYDS, MD - The Chicago Red Stars earned a hard-fought point on the road, drawing 1-1 with the Washington Freedom on Saturday night at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Lindsay Tarpley scored her second goal in as many games, and goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson made several critical saves down the stretch to preserve the tie.

The first scoring chance of the game fell to Washington, when Freedom midfielder Sonia Bompastor made a spirited run down the left flank, carried the ball to the endline, turned the corner, and sliced a ball across the six yard box. Abby Wambach, eluding her marker, ran onto the ball and attempted to slot it in the near post, but she pushed it just wide.

A few minutes later, when the Red Stars failed to clear the ball out of their box, Washington forward Lisa De Vanna collected the loose ball and sent a dangerous pass across the face of the goal. The danger was averted when retreating Chicago defender Ifeoma Dieke snared the ball in mid-flight and redirected it out of bounds.

Despite the Freedom's early scoring chances, it was the Red Stars that struck first in the 29th minute. Lindsay Tarpley ran onto a pass from Marian Dalmy deep in the Freedom end of the field, and from a difficult angle sent a shot over the outstretched arms of Washington goalkeeper Briana Scurry and into the far side netting. The opportunistic goal was Tarpley's second of the season.

"I didn't really have that great of an angle, so I was just trying to get it on frame," said Red Stars forward Lindsay Tarpley. "Luckily, I got it up enough and it found the back of the net."

Washington immediately turned up the pressure, looking for an equalizer. De Vanna carved her way through the right side of the Red Stars defense, drawing defenders before finding Bonpastor unmarked at the six yard box. The Freedom's French midfielder fired off a quick shot from close range, but Red Stars goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson was equal to the challenge, making her first of several important saves in the match.

When the halftime whistle blew, the Red Stars headed to the locker room with a 1-0 advantage.

The Freedom picked up where they left off in the second half, pressuring Chicago after the break. In the 54th minute, following a foul deep in the Red Stars end, Sonia Bonpastor took the ensuing free kick and swung a left-footed cross into the penalty area. Freedom defender Becky Sauerbrunn made a strong run toward the near post, outjumped her defender, and snapped a header across the face of the goal and into the upper left corner from 8 yards out.

With the game tied and looking for an offensive spark, Chicago Head Coach Emma Hayes chose this time to go to her bench and have Brazilian striker Cristiane make her debut.

The substitution did not alter the momentum Washington was enjoying, and in the 62nd minute the Freedom threatened again.

Second half sub Jill Gilbeau, racing down the right side, served the ball into the penalty area, but Abby Wambach headed it wide.

Chicago's hopes of generating more offense was dealt a severe blow in the 63rd minute, was Red Stars captain Frida Ostberg received her second yellow card of the match and was ejected from the game. Forced to play with one fewer player, the Red Stars found themselves defending for the balance of the game.

The Freedom continued the offensives barrage, outshooting the Red Stars 14-0 in the second half. Chicago goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson, who recorded 13 saves on the night, came up huge several times in the match, including an amazing parry of a diving header by Abby Wambach in the 76th minute.

The Red Stars weathered the storm and earned the draw, bringing their record to 1-1-0.

"It was the first time as a team we've had to cope with 10 players," said Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes. "I think the girls adapted well and hung in at the end."

Up next for the Red Stars is the historic home opener on Sunday, April 19 at TOYOTA PARK, where they will host Sky Blue FC. The game begins at 5 pm, but Red Stars Fandemonium, the pre-game fun zone, starts at 3:30 pm, when the gates open. The Radio Disney Road Crew will be entertaining fans from 4-5 pm, and there will be face-painting, poster-making, balloons, and live music. The national anthem will be performed by Chicago recording artist Michael McDermott. For more information, visit www.chicagoredstars.com.

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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from April 11, 2009


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