Angel City FC and Racing Louisville played a physical and gritty game Saturday night, which ended in a 0-1 win for Louisville. Louisville had just 36% possession, but made the most of when they controlled the ball — — outshooting Angel City 17-10 and 4-2 on target.
The first half was cutthroat, as four yellow cards were distributed during the first 45 minutes — two for each team.
The first scoring chance of the game came in the 12th minute when Angel City forward Riley Tiernan received a long ball in the box from defender Sarah Gorden. Tiernan pushed past the Louisville defense to fire off a shot from the corner of the six-yard box, but the ball hit the outside netting.
Louisville had their own attempt in the 23rd minute when forward Janine Sonis took the ball away in the midfield and made a run up the right side of the pitch. She fired a ball into the penalty box area where forward Emma Sears put a quick shot on target that Nealy Martin blocked.
Louisville continued to control the game against ACFC with their set plays and ball movement. In the 38th minute, Louisville defender Courtney Petersen passed a ball up the wing to defender Ella Hase, who sent a quick pass to midfielder Katie O’Kane running in the box. O’Kane then sent a sideways pass to the six-yard box where forward Sarah Weber flicked a shot on target. ACFC goalkeeper Angelina Andersen made a diving block but poked it back out to Louisville forward Janine Sonis who took a blast that flew over the bar.
The last goal scoring chance of the half came from a Louisville free kick 22 yards out. Midfielder Taylor Flint launched a shot that hit the five person ACFC wall, ricocheting the ball back to the feet of Sonis. She sent a cross into the penalty area where forward Sarah Weber headed the ball wide.
Finally the 0-0 tie was broken when Racing took a 1-0 lead in the 66th minute. Defending with a high line, Sears got Angel City defender Sarah Doorsoun to give away the ball for her to turn and send a low cross into the six-yard box. Weber found that ball and buried it into the net to put Racing ahead.
Angel City had a last-ditch chance to tie up the game in stoppage time. Defender M.A. Vignola sent a hard pass from just outside the box toward the far post. Midfielder Maiara Niehues slid to attempt a short shot, but couldn’t get to the ball on time before it skipped away.
The Racing win propelled the team to 8th in the tournament rankings, giving them a spot for a run for the cup. For Angel City, this loss hurt their chances of making it into this year’s tournament.
ACFC plays Kansas City on Monday, Oct. 6 at home.