After a flurry of four goals that were scored during the final 15 minutes of the first half, Reign FC and the Chicago Red Stars were knotted up at two goals apiece.
Seattle opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after a frantic start from both sides. Megan Rapinoe — the reigning NWSL Player of the Week — sent in a corner kick that floated to the back post and an unmarked Yanez was there to head in the opening goal.
The lead didn’t last long as Chicago found their equalizer a minute later when midfielder Christen Press dribbled down the middle and fired a low shot past Reign FC goalkeeper Hope Solo.
In the 35th minute, Chicago would score their second goal of the match to take the lead. Press would again be involved in the action as her cross found forward Jen Hoy who touched it in to give the Red Stars a 2–1 lead.
Three minutes later, Reign FC’s offense was hard at work at the other end. Rapinoe played a short corner to Little who in turn sent in a cross that took a bounce before defender Kendall Fletcher headed it home to bring Reign FC level at 2–2 going into the half.
Through the second 45 minutes of play, the goals halted and play settled down for both sides. Just as the match entered stoppage time, Press collected a pass from 30 yards out, dribbled in behind the Seattle back line and placed her shot past an on-rushing Solo to seal all three points for the home-side.
Reign FC will continue play on the road against FC Kansas City on Thursday, April 23 at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Miss.
Tickets for the next Seattle Reign home match against the Washington Sprit on May 2nd, at 7pm on the Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium in Seattle can be purchased at reignfc.com/tickets or by calling (855) REIGN-FC for details.
Match Summary
Seattle Reign FC vs. Chicago Red Stars April 18, 2015 — Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex (Lisle, Ill.)
Scoring Summary SEA: Beverly Yanez, 31’ (Rapinoe) CRS: Christen Press, 32’ (Vanessa DiBernado) CRS: Jen Hoy, 35’ (Christen Press) SEA: Kendall Fletcher, 39’ CRS: Christen Press, 90+
Misconduct Summary N/A
Lineups & Stats
SRFC: GK Hope Solo, D Stephanie Cox, D Lauren Barnes, D Kendall Fletcher, D Elli Reed, M Amber Brooks, M Jessica Fishlock, M Kim Little, F Megan Rapinoe, F Merritt Mathias (Mariah Nogueira, 71), F Beverly Yanez (Danielle Foxhoven, 83)
CRS: GK Karina LeBlanc, D Taryn Hemmings, D Abby Erceg, M Julie Johnston, D Rachel Quon (Arin Gilliland), M Vanessa DiBernado, M Lori Chalupny, M Danielle Colaprico, M Christen Press, F Sofia Huerta (Shannon Boxx, 46), F Jen Hoy
Referee: David Mon
Assistant Referee: Jennifer Garner; Cory Richardson
Fourth Official: Brandon Artis
#LetItReign
