Chicago's Lauren Fowlkes (9) lofts a header just out of reach of Chesapeake goalkeeper Erin Quinn for the first of her three goals. Photo Credit: Chicago Red Stars/Smith

Women's Soccer News: Fowlkes Hat-Trick Leads Red Stars To 5-0 Victory against Chesapeake Charge

Record Improves to 5-0 in WPSL Elite League

A hat trick by Chicago Red Stars’ forward Lauren Fowlkes helped lead the team to a 5-0 Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Elite league victory over visiting ASA Chesapeake Charge Sunday afternoon in Naperville. Additional goals were scored by team captain Lori Chalupny and 17 year-old Zoey Goralski. The Red Stars improve to 5-0-0 in the WPSL Elite league, with two games still in hand on first place Boston Breakers who sit at 6-1-0.

This game would mark the second match in three days for both sides, with the additional brutality of a 90 degree kickoff temperature. In spite of that, both teams had several early opportunities, with Chesapeake forcing Red Stars’ goalkeeper Jamie Forbes to make several difficult saves to keep the visitors off the scoreboard. The Red Stars were eventually able to overpower the visitors late in the first half, and continued the process into the second.

Chicago’s first goal was the result of a free kick off a foul by Chesapeake about 30 yards out on the right side of the field. Red Stars’ forward Michele Weissenhofer stepped up to take the kick and placed an excellent ball onto the leaping head of Fowlkes, who converted for her first goal of the night.

Just eight minutes later, midfielder Alyssa Mautz saw team captain Chalupny streaking down the middle of the pitch and played her a perfect arching pass that the Red Stars’ captain was able to tap down and blast into the net, leaving Chesapeake goalkeeper Erin Quinn little opportunity to react.

Feeling comfortable and confident with their 2-0 lead heading into the half, Red Stars’ Head Coach Rory Dames was able to sit a few of the team’s starters and put a few new players into the game. One player who took advantage of remaining on the pitch was Fowlkes, who with tandem-partner Amanda Cinalli providing her excellent passes, was able to put in back-to-back goals in the 77th and 80th minutes, securing her first hat-trick for the year.

Lauren Fowlkes scores her second goal of the match against Chesapeake Charge. Photo Credit: Chicago Red Stars/Smith

“The final two goals were great combinations between me and (Amanda) Cinalli,” Fowlkes said after the game. “We’ve played together a lot so we’re comfortable with each other and I’m used to her tendencies.”

“It’s tough to play Friday and turn around again to play Sunday,” she admitted, “so it was good for us fitness-wise and good to get more players minutes so we can continue learning to play together.”

“I think it helps that we have played together before so we know each other’s playing styles,” Cinalli said about Fowlkes. “We had a bit of a slow start and they caught us off-guard with some early shots, but Jamie (Forbes) made amazing saves and kept us in the game until we got our feet underneath us.”

Goralski, the Red Stars’ youngest player at just 17 years of age and making her second appearance of the year, put the final touches on the scoreboard with an 85th minute goal, courtesy of an Ashlee Elliott pass.

“It’s definitely harder for me playing with this team because I’m only 17 years-old, but I’m getting used to it,” said Goralski. “The game is faster than I’m used to, so I’m learning a lot about speed of play and quicker passing.”

“Everyone’s been chipping in to help me adjust to this new environment and they’ve all been really welcoming to me.”

The Red Stars take to the road on Wednesday for their first flight of the season when they head to meet the 2011 WPS Champions Western New York Flash, who stand currently at 2-2-1. The game will be webcast live by WNY, beginning at 6:00 p.m. CT. Visit www.wnyflash.com for more information.

The Red Stars are back in action at home on Saturday with a 6:00 p.m. kickoff when they’ll meet New England Mutiny at Lakeside Field on the campus of Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. Individual tickets on sale now at www.chicagoredstars.com: $15 Preferred and $10 General Admission. Discounted group tickets available by emailing info@chicagoredstars.com.

STATS:

Shots: Chicago 11, Chesapeake 4

Shots on Goal: Chicago 8, Chesapeake 3

Fouls: Chicago 3, Chesapeake 2

Corners: Chicago 4, Chesapeake 5

Cards: none

Goals: Lauren Fowlkes 32’ (Assisted by Michele Weissenhofer), Lori Chalupny 39’ (Assisted by Alyssa Mautz), Lauren Fowlkes 77’ (Assisted by Amanda Cinalli), Lauren Fowlkes 80’ (Assisted by Amanda Cinalli), Zoey Goralski 85’ (Assisted by Ashlee Elliott)

LINEUPS:

Chicago: Jamie Forbes GK (Kelsey Devonshire 45’), Lauren Alkek, Michelle Wenino (Sammy Scofield 45’), Alexandra Heller, Mary Therese McDonnell, Jen Buczkowski (Ashlee Elliott 72’), Lori Chalupny (Nicole Lipp 45’), Alyssa Mautz (Zoey Goralski 25’), Amanda Cinalli, Lauren Fowlkes, Michele Weissenhofer (Allison Doyle 45’)

Chesapeake: Erin Quinn GK (Lyndse Hokanson 45’), Amanda Lebo (Nichole Wojcik 65’), Jennifer Gillette (Alexandra Brennan 45’), Jessica Hnatiuk, Caylin Dudley, Riley Barger, Laura Kane (Sofia Read 48’), Cheyenne Skidmore, Laura Kane, Marisa Kresge (Kaitlin Brooks 62’), Erica Suter (Nichole Brooks 62’)

Related Articles: WPSL on SoccerNation