TUCSON, Ariz. – Portland Thorns FC earned a 2-0 preseason win over Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) side FC Tucson Women in front of 1,118 fans on Wednesday night at North Kino Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.
The match was the second of three preseason games for Portland and the first-ever match for FC Tucson Women, a new WPSL team. In their first match of the preseason, Thorns FC came away with a 4-0 win against the University of Portland on March 21 at Merlo Field.
Forward Jodie Taylor scored the game-winning goal in the 24th minute of the match, while trialist forward Kelsey Haycook added a second goal in the 88th minute.
Utilizing 20 different players in the match, Portland controlled the possession and held a 17-3 advantage in shots, putting nine on goal, as well as an 8-1 edge in corner kicks.
In the 24th minute, midfielders McCall Zerboni and Allie Long connected a series of passes before Long played Taylor through despite being taken down on the play. Thorns FC played the advantage as Taylor dribbled into the box and curled a shot into the bottom right corner to give Portland a 1-0 lead.
Haycook added the second tally of the match late, directing a loose ball in the box with the outside of her foot past the outstretched arms of the FC Tucson goalkeeper just inside the left post.
Thorns FC will play their final match of the 2015 preseason against the University of Arizona on Saturday, March 28; kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (Pacific).
Portland Thorns FC vs. FC Tucson Women (Preseason Match)
March 25, 2015 – North Kino Stadium (Tucson, Ariz.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 1 1 2
FC Tucson Women 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
POR – Taylor (Long), 24
POR – Haycook, 88
Misconduct Summary
TUC – Marquez (caution), 22
TUC – Davidson (caution), 53
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Nadine Angerer (Michelle Betos, 45); D Courtney Niemiec (Taylor Comeau, 63), D Kat Williamson (Kate Bennett, 77), D Emily Menges; M Hanna Terry (Kelley Monogue, 63), M McCall Zerboni (Sarah Robbins, 63), M Sinead Farrelly, M Kendall Johnson (Tessa Andujar, 63), M Allie Long (Alyssa Kleiner, 63), M Mana Shim (Sarah Jackson, 63); F Jodie Taylor (Kelsey Haycook, 63)
- indicates trialist
TOTAL SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON GOAL: 9; FOULS: 7; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 1
TUC: GK Sarah Dilling, D MyKaylin Rosenquist (Nicole Acosta, 83), D Analisa Marquez, D Brooke Denesik (Jessica Nelson, 32), D Savannah Berry, M Soli Gomez (Stacey Rodwell,, 27) (Chelly Kauric, 70), M Nikki Petracca (Caroline Shevlin, 60), M Savannah Berry (Ali Dollar, 63), F Sam Monahan (Mallory Miller, 37) (Emily Lai, 90+2), F Melissa Fernandez (Karina Camacho, 83), F Zuri Prince (Jordan Davidson, 53) (Alex Skidmore, 83)
TOTAL SHOTS: 3; SHOTS ON GOAL: 1; FOULS: 11; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 7
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Assistant Referees: Matthew Sternheim, Alicia Messer
Attendance: 1,118
Weather: Clear, 73 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
