The Chicago Red Stars lost their first match on the road, 2-1, to New Jersey/New York Gotham FC. Penelope Hocking provided the Red Stars’ lone goal in the 74th minute, making this her third goal in as many matches.  

KEY MOMENTS: 

26’ Chicago’s Maxi Rall dribbles the ball into Gotham’s half, passes the ball to Jenna Bike on the right wing and Bike drops here defender before sending a cross into the box that is collected by the keeper 

33’ Gotham’s Rose Lavelle sends a pass behind Chicago’s backline that finds Esther who takes a shot with her second touch, but goalkeeper, Mackenzie Wood, saves the shot before the referee nullifies the play for a player being offside 

49’ Mallory Swanson sends a ball behind Gotham’s backline to Penelope Hocking who takes a shot with her left foot, but it goes wide of the net, 0-0   

53’ Gotham, trying to pass backwards, turn the ball over to Penelope Hocking who goes on a run straight at goal before dumping the ball off to Swanson who takes a shot that’s saved by Gotham’s keeper 

54’ Gotham send a cross into Chicago’s 18-yard box that finds the head of one of their forwards. The ball floats dangerously toward goal, but Wood elevates to tap the ball over the cross bar and clear the danger 

57’ Gotham send another cross into Chicago’s box, this time deep to the back post. Esther gets a foot on the ball to pass it back to Lynn Willams, who heads it into the net, 1-0 Gotham 

68’ Chicago’s Maxi Rall sends a ball into Gotham’s 18-yard box that finds Penelope Hocking. She touches the ball to Jameese Joseph who takes a shot that is deflected out for a corner kick 

74’ Chicago free kick that finds the head of Sam Staab that goes to goal, the keeper is unable to corral the ball and Penelope Hocking takes advantage to bury the ball into the back of the net and tie the match , 1-1 

87’ Gotham, on the attack again, send a cross into Chicago’s box that bounces out to a charging Nighswonger. The defender takes a shot, but Chicago’s Natalia Kuikka gets in front of the shot and deflects the ball out to clear the danger, 1-1 

90’ Gotham send a corner kick into Chicago’s box that finds Ella Stevens, who gives the home team the go ahead, 2-1 Gotham  

GAME NOTES: 

• With their start tonight, Sam Staab reached 100 consecutive matches played
• Tonight marked Mackenzie Wood’s first regular-season start. The goalkeeper started a match for the Red Stars last year in a friendly against the Mexican Women’s National Team. 
• Tonight marked Mallory Swanson’s 50th appearance with the Red Stars.  
• Penelope Hocking’s goal tonight is the forward’s third goal in as many matches. All three goals came from one shot on goal and is the longest scoring streak for the second-year Red Star. 
• The Chicago Red Stars have scored in each of the last four matches, scoring 8 goals in that run.  
• The Red Stars have scored in their last four matches, the longest run of games with a goal in the regular season since a run of five games from August 27, 2023, to October 8, 2023. 

Next Game 

Chicago Red Stars vs. Racing Louisville FC May 25, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium 

Goals by Half  

            1 2 F 

NJY   0 2 2 

CHI   0 1 1