TUCSON, Ariz. – Six players scored goals, including four with braces, as defending National Women’s Soccer League champion Portland Thorns FC recorded a 10-0 win over the University of Arizona in a preseason match before 1,774 fans on Friday at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
Midfielder Allie Long, forward Jessica McDonald, midfielder Meleana Shim and defender Rachel Van Hollebeke all tallied two goals apiece as Thorns FC held the Wildcats without a shot on goal during the match.
Portland opened the scoring quickly as forward Christine Sinclair received a through pass into the box from forward Jessica McDonald in the third minute. Sinclair, who finished as the team’s co-leading goal-scorer with eight goals in 2013, took a touch and guided a low shot inside the far left post for a 1-0 lead. Just three minutes later, Thorns FC doubled their lead as midfielder Angie Kerr delivered a strong, left-footed effort from just outside the penalty box following a pass from midfielder Allie Long.
McDonald, an Arizona native, finished the match with two goals and one assist, tallying Portland’s fourth and fifth goals in the 42nd and 48th minutes.
Van Hollebeke, playing her usual center back position, gave Thorns FC a 3-0 lead in the 33rd minute when she found herself in a good position to pounce on a rebound created by a McDonald header, getting enough on her lunging effort to tap the ball past Arizona goalkeeper Gabrielle Kaufman. Van Hollebeke registered her second goal of the night with a well-struck shot from 22 yards out that beat the goalkeeper inside the far left post in the 53rd minute.
Long registered two goals in a three-minute span in the second half, notching Portland’s seventh and eighth goals of the match. The midfielder, who scored three goals last year for Thorns FC, tallied her second goal off an assist from Sinclair.
Entering the match as a 60th-minute substitute, midfielder Meleana Shim scored in the 68th minute and capped the scoring for Portland by finishing a pass from forward Jackie Acevedo in the 90th minute.
Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer registered a clean sheet in her first preseason appearance with Thorns FC, rarely coming under pressure as Portland dominated possession against the Wildcats. Thorns FC registered a 29-1 advantage on total shots against Arizona, including 20 shots on goal.
Thorns FC conclude their preseason trip to Tucson with a match against Arizona State University at 2 p.m. (Pacific) on Sunday at Kino Sports Complex.
Portland kicks off the NWSL regular-season schedule on April 12 against expansion club Houston Dash at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Portland Thorns FC vs. University of Arizona (Preseason Match)
March 28, 2014 – Kino Sports Complex (Tucson, Ariz.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 4 6 10
University of Arizona 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
POR – Sinclair (McDonald), 3
POR – Kerr (Long), 6
POR – Van Hollebeke, 33
POR – McDonald, 42
POR – McDonald (Niemiec), 48
POR – Van Hollebeke, 53
POR – Long, 55
POR – Long (Sinclair), 58
POR – Shim, 68
POR – Shim (Acevedo), 90
Misconduct Summary
None
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Nadine Angerer, D Courtney Niemiec, D Nikki Marshall (Kat Williamson, 60), D Rachel Van Hollebeke, D Rebecca Moros (Kat Tarr, 60), M Amber Brooks, M Sinead Farrelly (Hanna Terry, 67), M Allie Long (Courtney Wetzel, 60), M Angie Kerr (Meleana Shim, 60), F Jessica McDonald, F Christine Sinclair (Jackie Acevedo, 60)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Michelle Betos
- indicates trialist
TOTAL SHOTS: 29; SHOTS ON GOAL: 20; FOULS: 4; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 0
ARIZ: GK Gabrielle Kaufman, D Mykaylin Rosenquist, D Sheaffer Skadsen, D Brianna DeFelice, D Haley Silverberg, M Julia Glanz (Laura Pimienta, 73), M Hannah Stevens (Alexa Montgomery, 67), M Hayley Estopare, M Hannah Wong (Alexa Selman, 40), F Jaden Degracie (Priscilla Pimienta, 85), F Kaitlin Lopez (Jazmin Ponce, 46)
Substitutes Not Used: Justene Kesterson, Mandi McBroom, Devyn Hunley, Alexa Mamatas, Alison Gowdosch, Megan Baker, Callen Shelton, Leeandra Smith
TOTAL SHOTS: 1; SHOTS ON GOAL: 0; FOULS: 7; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 0; SAVES: 9
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Assistant Referees: Matt Stewart, Alicia Messer
4th Official: Charles Farr
Attendance: 1,774
Weather: Clear, 68 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
