The Chicago Red Stars took their sixth win against only one loss in Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite League play, defeating the visiting New England Mutiny 4-0 at Northwestern University.
The Red Stars picked up goals from four different players on the way to a win in the first game following their only loss of the season. New England (3-3-1) dropped to fifth spot on the table, while Chicago (6-1-0) moved up to the top. The Mutiny were coming off a physical 3-2 win over FC Indiana on Thursday night, while the Red Stars had suffered a 3-0 loss to Western New York Flash on Wednesday.
Showing no signs of the earlier matches, both sides came out firing in search of an opening score. New England challenged Chicago’s Jamie Forbes in goal several times in the opening 15 minutes. At the other end of the field Mutiny’s Vikki Alonzo was called on for several of her 11 saves in the match. In the 36th minute Chicago finally found the key they had been looking for. Amanda Cinalli served a pass in to Michele Weissenhofer, who beat Alonzo for the only goal the home team would need on the night.
Both sides continued to play hard, but the half ended with the score 1-0. The second half picked up where the first had left off, with both teams jockeying for position on the pitch. Mutiny’s Kate Howarth and Tiya Gallegos again challenged Forbes, but to no effect. At the other end Chicago would take advantage of the wind coming off Lake Michigan to push forward against the New England defense. Close-range shots by team captain Lori Chalupny and team scoring leader Lauren Fowlkes were denied by Alonzo, and a Weissenhofer rocket hit the crossbar.
Then in the 69th minute second-half substitute Kara Kabellis fired a corner kick into the crowded goal mouth. Julianne Sitch managed to redirect the ball to Cinalli who beat Alonzo for the 2-0 lead. Chicago was back on the attack four minutes later as Kabellis fed Fowlkes for a third goal. Chalupny spread the icing on the cake with the final score at the 85-minute mark.
New England will complete their road tour this Wednesday, June 20, when they take on Boston Breakers at Dilboy Stadium. They then host a rematch with Western New York Flash on Sunday, June 24. Chicago will travel to Maryland on Friday, June 22, to take on ASA Chesapeake Charge, followed by a Sunday road game against Philadelphia Fever.
