PORTLAND, Ore. — Forward Danielle Foxhoven and midfielder Meleana Shim scored goals in the second half to help guide Portland Thorns FC to a 2-0 win over Seattle Reign FC on Sunday before 13,802 fans at JELD-WEN Field.
Foxhoven netted her second goal in as many games with a curling strike in the 48th minute and Shim recorded her first professional goal and assist for Portland. Thorns FC (8-2-1, 25pts) improved to 3-0-0 this season against Seattle (0-9-1, 1pt).
Thorns FC goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc finished with four saves, including a diving stop on an 84th-minute penalty kick from Seattle midfielder Christine Nairn to preserve the shutout. LeBlanc notched her fifth clean sheet as Portland reached the midway point of the National Women’s Soccer League season tied with Sky Blue FC atop the league standings.
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Portland, which earned its second straight win at home, produced a handful of chances in the first half, but couldn’t beat Reign FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos. Midfielder Angie Kerr and Shim each saw shots on goal stopped by Betos in the opening 26 minutes of the game.
Active in the midfield all match, Kerr had a shot from distance blocked in the 35th minute and a dangerous cross inside the penalty box cleared out just minutes later.
A halftime substitute, Foxhoven scored the go-ahead goal for Thorns FC with a bending ball from the left side of the penalty box. Thorns FC defender Jazmyne Avant forced a bad pass and Shim stole the ball on the left flank and quickly found Foxhoven making a run into the left side of the penalty box. The former University of Portland standout cut the ball back onto her right foot before firing a shot into the far-post side netting for a 1-0 lead.
WATCH: Thorns Postgame - Cone discusses the victory
Foxhoven, who has scored all three of her goals as a second-half substitute, scored in the same minute (48) of a 4-3 win against FC Kansas City on June 6 at JELD-WEN Field. The assist was the first of Shim’s professional career.
Shim, a native of Hawaii, then notched the first goal of her professional career in the 66th minute, providing Thorns FC with a two-goal cushion heading into the final 20 minutes of the match. Midfielder Allie Long ignited the attack, delivering a cross-field pass to Kerr on the right flank. Kerr eluded a Seattle defender and slotted a through ball right into Shim’s path as she raced into the middle of the penalty box.
The rookie midfielder made no mistake, finishing with a left-footed shot past Betos from close to the penalty spot. The assist was Kerr’s first of the season.
Foxhoven finished with a team-high four shots, including three on goal, Long attempted three shots while Kerr, Shim and defender Marian Dougherty each ended the game with two shots. Despite Reign FC outshooting Portland 15-14, Thorns FC held an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal.
WATCH: Thorns Postgame - Foxhoven, Shim, & LeBlanc on the goals, the PK stop and playing for Edwards
Reign FC earned a penalty kick in the 83rd minute when Thorns FC defender Nikki Marshall was whistled for a handball in the box while jumping to defend a close-range volley by Seattle midfielder Christine Nairn.
Nairn stepped up to take the penalty kick, but LeBlanc made the save while diving to her right side. Diving the right direction, LeBlanc made the stop with her shins and the rebound bounced far enough away to be safely cleared from danger.
Portland managed to keep the clean sheet, it’s second home shutout and third in the last five games overall.
Thorns FC take to the road on Saturday, June 22, against Sky Blue FC at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J.; kickoff is 4 p.m. (Pacific). Fans can follow a live web stream at www.portlandthornsfc.com and via Twitter @ThornsFC. .
Portland Thorns FC (8-2-1, 25pts) vs. Seattle Reign FC (0-9-1, 1pt)
June 16, 2013 – JELD-WEN Field (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
SEA 0 0 0
POR 0 2 2
Scoring Summary
POR: Foxhoven (Shim), 48
POR: Shim (Kerr), 66
Misconduct Summary
POR: Guess (Caution), 39
POR: Washington (Caution), 43
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Karina LeBlanc (capt.); D Marian Dougherty, D Kathryn Williamson, D Nikki Marshall, D Jazmyne Avant, M Nikki Washington (Emilee O’Neil, 60), M Courtney Wetzel, M Allie Long, M Elizabeth Guess (Danielle Foxhoven, 46), M Angie Kerr (Jessica Shufelt, 86), F Mana Shim
Substitutes Not Used: GK Adelaide Gay, GK Cris Lewis^, D Carlie Davis^, M Amanda Dutra^
TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Foxhoven, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Foxhoven, 3); FOULS: 13 (Washington, 4); OFFSIDES: 5; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 4
SEA: GK Michelle Betos; D Lauren Barnes, D Kate Deines (Jenny Ruiz, 73), D Elli Reed, D Kiersten Dallstream, M Teresa Noyola, M Christine Nairn, M Kristen Meier, M Keelin Winters (capt.), F Lindsay Taylor (Tiffany Cameron, 77), F Kristina Larsen (Liz Bogus, 56)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Haley Kopmeyer, D Bree Rowe^, M Joana Houplin^, M Lyndsey Patterson
TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Three players tied, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Winters, Nairn, 2); FOULS: 7 (Seven players tied, 1); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 6
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referees: Cory Richardson, Jason Perlewitz
Fourth Official: Andrew Brooks
Attendance: 13,802
Weather: 64 degrees, partly cloudy
