WPSL Elite Chicago Red Stars Win Over Philadelphia Fever, Reach Top of League

July 8, 2012 - PRLog -- In a rare break from Chicago’s recent heat-wave, the Red Stars would capitalize on their one goal of the match to take a victory over the visiting Philadelphia Fever at Northwestern’s Lakefront Field Saturday night. On a cool, breezy night the lone goal was scored off a great Chicago team effort that saw several players get a touch on the ball before Lauren Fowlkes would put it away in the 66th minute. Forward Ella Masar is credited with the assist.

Fowlkes had spent much of the match in the center-back position before a switch in the second half that would move her to her more common forward position. It was a change that would pay off for the Red Stars, as she provided the game-winning goal, her team-leading 7th of the season.

The teams would head into halftime squared away at 0-0. With Philly’s heavy defensive stance, it looked like the Red Stars might have to settle for a tie, in spite of controlling a sold portion of the game’s possession. Early in the match Red Stars’ forward Lindsay Schwartz received a through-ball on the right side but her shot leapt just over the crossbar in the 16th minute. She would get another look 10 minutes later from a Lori Chalupny through-pass, but again the shot would go just wide.

Just before halftime, substitute Ella Masar surprised the crowd with a quick turn from just inside half-field and launched a long range shot that dipped against the wind and landed just inches over the cross bar, past Philly goalkeeper Michelle Dalton’s outstretched hand.

The Red Stars would break the deadlock in the 66th minute with a sequence of passes culminating in Fowlkes’ goal from close range. The ball was initially played out to Chalupny on the left side of the goal near the end line and she played a low ball in that Masar would flick toward Fowlkes. Fowlkes played the ball low into the right corner, past the outstretched arms of Dalton.

A few minutes later it looked as if the Red Stars’ outside backs would get in on the action when defender Michelle Wenino played a long cross from the left side of the field into the path of flying right defender Mary Therese McDonnell. McDonnell would connect on the header, but her shot would tip off the top of the crossbar.

Philly provided Chicago a great scare in the waning minutes of the match when they received back-to-back foul calls around the 35 yard line in the 88th and 89th minutes. Philly’s free kick would get tipped backwards off a header directly into the path of a charging Fever player. Fortunately for the Red Stars, her open look at goal was miss-hit and cleared harmlessly out of play. The Red Stars would come right back down to the other end of the field and win a corner that defender Ashlee Elliott solidly connected on, but her header was knocked out by Dalton, ending the match.

“We got the 3 points tonight and that is important,” said Red Stars’ midfielder Jen Buczkowski. “We could have been better in the final third and our speed of play, but overall it was a solid performance. We will continue to build for the final push over these next three weeks.”

It was the Red Stars second victory over the Fever this year, following a 4-1 victory in Philly on June 24th. The Red Stars remain tied for 1st place in WPSL Elite league with the Boston Breakers, who had 1 win and 1 loss this weekend. Chicago has a game in hand on Boston and will look to take over sole possession of 1st place over the final 3 games of the season.

The Red Stars are hosting WNY Flash next Saturday, July 14th, at 7pm at Benedictine University in Lisle for their final home match of the season. The Red Stars’ suffered their first loss of the year to the Flash, taking a hard 0-3 rout in Rochester back on June 13th.  It will not only be crucial as the Red Stars seek to hold down 1st place in the WPSL Elite league, but also an opportunity to even the score on WNY, who is also hosting the WPSL Elite league finals July 25th and 28th.

Tickets for next Saturday’s matches are available online now: $15 for Preferred Seating (only available online in advance of match), $10 General Admission (available online and at the gate) at chicagoredstars.com. Group discounts are available by contacting info@chicagoredstars.com.

STATS:
Shots: Chicago 13, Philly 4
Saves: Chicago (Forbes) 0, Philly (Dalton) 4
Corners: Chicago 7, Philly 3
GOALS:  Lauren Fowlkes (Assist by Ella Masar) 67’

LINEUPS:
Chicago: Jamie Forbes GK, Mary Therese McDonnell, Ashlee Elliott, Lauren Fowlkes (Nicole Lipp 76’), Michelle Wenino, Julianne Sitch (Lauren Alkek 72’), Jen Buczkowski, Lori Chalupny, Amanda Cinalli (Alyssa Mautz 46’), Michele Weissenhofer (Sammy Scofield 59’), Lindsay Schwartz (Ella Masar 31’)

Philly: Michelle Dalton (GK), Molly Allen, Megan Minnix, Kelly Lynch (Maddy Jackson 87’), Myriam Bouchard, Erin Beck (Kara Hinkelmon 84’), Leanne Champ (Raelynn Mikell 76’), Brittany Baldwin (Anna Dolhansky 70’), Jen Devarics, Anna Soccorsi (Erica Murphy 84’), Laura DiClemente (Veronica Rhea 54’)

Media Note: PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

The WPSL Elite League is new in 2012. The 8-team league is ASA Chesapeake Charge, Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Indiana, New England Mutiny, New York Fury, Philadelphia Fever, and WNY Flash.

Join our mailing list at www.chicagoredstars.com for details and follow the team on twitter @chicagoredstars and facebook.com/chicagoredstars.

About the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL):
The Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is the largest national Women’s Soccer League in the world. With more than 70-plus women’s soccer teams, the WPSL is the leading amateur soccer league in America. The league is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) as an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The WPSL's mission is to provide opportunities to further the women’s soccer game for the aspiring professional, international-level players and passionate amateurs. The WPSL season brings affordable and quality family entertainment to the community, displays positive role models for our youth and offers the essential connection between youth and pro women’s soccer in America.

About the WPSL Elite League:
With the addition of three former Women's Professional Soccer teams, the WPSL Elite League is now the highest level women's soccer league in America. The leage features eight teams: Former WPS franchises Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, and 2011 WPS Champion Western New York Flash; WPSL teams  ASA Chesapeake Charge, FC Indiana, New England Mutiny and New York Fury; and the independant Philadelphia Fever.

For more information please visit http://www.WPSL.info or email Media@WPSL.Info