FC Gold Pride (3-7-3)returned to Buck Shaw stadium, after three weeks away, to host the Saint Louis Athletica (6-5-2) on Sunday evening. Similar to the first meeting between the Pride and Athletica back in May, Saint Louis captain Lori Chalupny made the difference, scoring the lone goal in the game to give her team the 1-0 second half advantage and ultimately the win.
The first 45 minutes of the game saw an even exchange of attacks by both teams but neither managed to put together anything dangerous in the offensive third.
The second half opened with a slightly faster pace seeing FC Gold Pride mount an early attack before seeing Saint Louis settle in. FC Gold Pride Co-Captain Rachel Buehler received her first caution of the season in the 63rd minute of play following a tough battle for the ball in front of the Pride's net, resulting in a clearance by Buehler.
The Pride seemed to be on the attack but couldn't find a way to get on the scoreboard, as Hope Solo and the Athletica defense denied all seven of the Pride's second half shots.
Chalupny did find the back of the net, scoring the game winning goal for the Athletica on a shot fired from 35 yards out. The 73rd minute goal was enough to secure Saint Louis' sixth win of the season and sole possession of second place in the standings. The Pride remains in seventh place with a 3-7-3 record and 12 points on the season.
Up next, Saint Louis will head to Los Angeles for a mid week match up with the Sol on Wednesday night. FC Gold Pride will hit the road next week to make their second and final trip of the season to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Red Stars on July 12. The Pride is 1-0-1 against the Red Stars this season, earning the team's lone road win in Chicago on May 16.
"We felt we could have won this game," said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. "We had our chances, we were creating opportunities. It's not like we were constantly bombarded on our own goal. If anything it was the other way around. It's just a play here and there but we need to start making those plays and putting the ball in the back of the net."
"It was kind of one of those games where were just feeling each other out," said Chalupny. "The game wasn't really going either way. It was mostly staying right in the midfield. Toward the end of the second half they were getting a lot of shots it was one of those games where you just know the first goal was probably going to be the game winner because it was so tight and such a good defensive battle. We were just looking for anyway to get behind them."
"It was very emotional for me," said Sissi of her debut. "Honestly I couldn't believe I had the chance to be on the field again and play with this team that I know has good players. I know we lost but in my 10 minutes, I can tell you I was proud because I was trying to do my best. I'm happy Albertin gave me a chance to be on the field."
Line-ups:
FC Gold Pride - Barnhart, Abegg, Buehler, Graczyk, Robinson, Dew (Sissi, 78), Osborne, Formiga, DiMartino (Chastain, 74), Sinclair, Erika (Arakawa, 65).
St. Louis - Solo, Logterman, Larsson, Ellertson, McNeill (Weber, 46), Fletcher, Cinalli (Walter, 77), Woznuk, Chalupny, Aluko, Tancredi (Welsh, 68).
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