PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC recorded second-half goals from forward Danielle Foxhoven and midfielder Allie Long for a 2-1 win against the University of Portland in a preseason friendly in front of a capacity crowd of 4,892 at Merlo Field on Saturday night.
Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Thorns FC responded with two unanswered goals. Foxhoven, a former University of Portland forward and the program’s fourth all-time leading scorer, slotted home the equalizer through heavy traffic in the 52nd minute.
Second-half substitute forward Jessica Shufelt took the initial shot from the top of the box that Pilots goalkeeper Nichole Downing, a second-half substitute, parried off the left post. Foxhoven collected the rebound and placed a ball into the goal through a group of Pilots defenders.
Midfielder Allie Long delivered the game-winning goal for Thorns FC in the 73rd minute, taking a deflected pass from midfielder Nikki Washington and placing a well-struck shot inside the left post from the top of the box. Long tallied four shots in the match, including two shots on goal.
Playing without the club’s National Team allocation players, Thorns FC controlled much of the possession throughout the match, recording 23 shots (14 on goal). Foxhoven and former University of Portland midfielder Angie Kerr finished with a team-high three shots on goal.
University of Portland forward Amanda Frisbie gave the Pilots a 1-0 lead against the run of play in the 30th minute, when the junior latched onto a long ball from Lorielle McCluskie through the Thorns FC defense and managed a chipped shot that beat oncoming goalkeeper Roxanne Barker.
Goalkeepers Barker and Aline Reis, who played the entire second half, recorded one save apiece for Thorns FC.
The Pilots had a chance to level the score in the 90th minute when Reis’ clearance deflected off forward Micaela Capelle and bounced back into the box. Capelle, a junior from Gresham, Ore., was unable to score as Reis and a Thorns FC defender raced back to cut down the shooting angle.
Thorns FC kicks off the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League season on Saturday, April 13, on the road against FC Kansas City at Shawnee Mission District Stadium.
Portland Thorns FC at University of Portland
March 30, 2013 – Merlo Field (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 0 2 2
University of Portland 1 0 1
Scoring Summary
UP: Frisbie (McCluskie), 30
POR: Foxhoven (Shufelt), 52
POR: Long (Washington), 73
Misconduct Summary
None
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Roxanne Barker (Aline Reis, 46); D Jazmyne Avant, D Kathryn Williamson, D Emilee O’Neil, D Marian Dougherty; M Nikki Washington, M Allie Long (Amanda Dutra, 87), M Angie Kerr, M Becky Edwards; F Danielle Foxhoven (Courtney Wetzel, 76), F Nicolette Radovcic (Jessica Shufelt, 46)
Substitutes Not Used: D Nikki Marshall
TOTAL SHOTS: 23 (Kerr, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 14 (Foxhoven, Kerr, 3); FOULS: 6; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 2
UP starting lineup: GK Erin Dees; D Lorielle McCluskie, D Haylee DeGrood, D Sara Bindl, D Michelle Cruz; M Emily Sippel, M Rebekah Kurle, M Noelle La Prevotte, M Ellen Parker; F Micaela Capelle, F Amanda Frisbie
TOTAL SHOTS: 6 (Frisbie, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Frisbie, 3); FOULS: 10; OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 12
Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva
Assistant Referees: Jason Perlewitz, Timon Berry
4th Official: Andrew Marihart
Attendance: 4,892
Weather: 75 degrees, sunny
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
