Last week the Red Stars played two 45 minute preseason games. The first match was played against Northwestern, which the Red Stars won 2-0 with two goals from Masar. The Northwestern game was followed by a 45 minute game again the DePaul Blue Demons.
As stated in a previous entry, Katie Q and I caught the matches at the Wildcats' lakeside field in Evanston. The weather was gorgeous, and we were excited to be enjoying some quality local soccer. Check out a recap of the game against DePaul below.
Red Stars starting 11:
Masar - Cristiane
Weissenhofer - Santacaterina - Klein - Sitch
Vandenbergh - Markgraf - Spilger - Dalmy
Davis
Julianne Sitch and Ella Masar warm-up before their games against Northwestern and DePaul.
Red Stars with the wind for this match-up - a totally unfair advantage for them against DePaul. The Red Stars only make one sub after their first 45 minutes against Northwestern, as Kelsey Davis subs in for Meghann Burke in goal. Lydia Vandenbergh and Michele Weissenhofer switch positions in the midfield and defensively on the left wing.
It should also be noted that Julianne Sitch spent her college days playing at DePaul. In fact, I first saw Sitch play at DePaul and quickly became a huge fan of hers. Last week she had the honor of wearing the captain's armband when playing against her alma mater.
And the game begins...
Please keep in mind that clocks at college games count from 45 minutes down to zero. Confusing, I know!
43' - A few minutes into the 2nd 45-minute game and Weissenhofer prepares herself for a flip throw that lands itself on the other side of the penalty box.
43' - Shot goes off the crossbar from Cristiane.
(I thought it was Masar. Replay please?)
40' - Sitch takes the ball from the half all the way to goal where she collides with the goalie. DePaul has the ball.
39' - Cristiane stands around looking lethargic - fitness.......?
38' - Cristiane throws her hands in the air and catches a long ball as it comes to her rather than trying to trap it, head it, or letting it fly out of bounds on its own
38' - Cristiane back in action as she shows off her footwork at the top of the box. She distributes the ball wide to Vandenbergh, who has a shot on goal that the DePaul keeper makes a diving save for. Spilger rebounds and nails it over the goal.
34' - Cristiane shot - Goalkeeper makes the save
Cristiane takes a shot against DePaul.
34' - Awful punt from the DePaul keeper - the ball lands near the 18 yard line and Cristiane isn't able to capitalize on DePaul's error.
33' - Lots of action in and around the box from the Red Stars, including passing between Masar and Cristiane, who sends it outside right to Sitch who scores for the Stars. 1-0 Red Stars! GOAAAL!
(The Northwestern announcers call it an own goal - pssh!)
31' - RS corner
30' - Ella to Cristiane to Weissenhofer --- GOAL!
29' - DePaul attacks
28' - DePaul is called offiside - sorry, ladies!
25' - DePaul continues on the attack, they get a cross in but it's is saved by Davis.
24' - Katie Q supports the DePaul folks cheering from the bleachers. Two thumbs up.
22' - Another flip throw - the young-ins in the crowd gets pumped. The ball reaches the center of the box at the six yard line.
