Hoy and Walls each score twice as club improves to 4-0 in NWSL preseason

St. Louis, Missouri – The Chicago Red Stars defeated the University of Missouri 6-0 and Iowa State University 3-0 today in a pair of 45-minute scrimmages. Jen Hoy and Cara Walls each struck twice over the course of the two games, which saw the club improve to 4-0 in its National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) preseason. While Walls also recorded an assist on the day, the Chicago defense has yet to give up a goal in all of 2015.

The NWSL club didn’t waste any time in its opening match, grabbing the lead over Missouri in the first minute of play. Former Kentucky defender Arin Gilliland dribbled up the flank and sent a dangerous cross into the area that was finished off by forward Walls. The Wisconsin alum bagged her assist a mere three minutes later, as she set up Vanessa DiBernardo, who found the net to double her side’s lead.

Next to get on the score sheet for Chicago was third-year professional Hoy, who cleaned up a deflection on a fifth-minute shot by U-23 U.S. international Danielle Colaprico. Recently added trialist Mary Luba made it four just before the quarter-hour mark, as she fired home a nice layoff by Walls on a feed by Hoy.

After a Missouri defender deflected Rachel Quon’s cross into her own net in the 19th minute, the Chicago coaching staff shook things up with a flurry of substitutions. With a total of six new players on the field, the Red Stars took some time to rediscover their rhythm, but they would find the net one more time before the final whistle.

Having just headed a Colaprico corner over the crossbar, trialist Giuleana Lopez aimed perfectly in the 30th minute. On a scuffle in the area, Quon’s initial chance left the ball bouncing around dangerously, and Lopez took full advantage by firing home to round out the score line at 6-0.

In their second game of the day, the Red Stars featured a lineup similar to the eleven that had started in the meeting with Missouri. Now faced with a gritty Iowa State side, Head Coach Rory Dames’ players had a more difficult time creating chances until forward Hoy opened the floodgates in the 23rd minute.

Gilliland flew up the wing and picked out Tejada, who played it across to Hoy, and the 24-year-old showed excellent foot skills in dribbling in on goal and burying her shot to make it 1-0.

Substitute Valerie Gonyo would double her side’s lead moments later, finishing off a Sofia Huerta flick-on following another Colaprico corner kick. The day’s final tally went to Walls, who completed her brace over both scrimmages by making an excellent near-post run and redirecting Jackie Esterkamp’s cross past the opposition goalkeeper.

The 2015 Chicago Red Stars season kicks off on April 18 with the team’s big NWSL home opener against Hope Solo, Megan Rapinoe and current Shield holders Seattle Reign FC. Single-game and season tickets may be purchased by clicking here or by calling 773-698-6001.

Chicago Red Stars at University of Missouri 6-0
Venue: Lou Fusz Soccer Complex, St. Louis, Mo.
Kickoff time: 11 a.m. CT

Red Stars starting lineup:
Michele Dalton, Rachel Quon, Taryn Hemmings, Samantha Johnson, Arin Gilliland, Danielle Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo, Mary Luba, Sofia Huerta, Jen Hoy, Tara Walls

Goals: 1-0 Walls (1’), 2-0 DiBernardo (4’), 3-0 Hoy (5’), 4-0 Luba (13’), 5-0 own-goal (19’), 6-0 Lopez (30’)

Red Stars Cautions/Ejections: Barrett – caution (36’)

Red Stars substitutions:
Kelley McCloskey for Arin Gilliland (22’)
Jayden Barrett for Vanessa DiBernardo (22’)
Rachel Tejada for Cara Walls (22’)
Leigh Jakes for Mary Luba (22’)
Lillie Toaspern for Sofia Huerta (22’)
Giuleana Lopez for Jen Hoy (22’)

Chicago Red Stars vs. Iowa State University 3-0
Venue: Lou Fusz Soccer Complex, St. Louis, Mo.
Kickoff time: 12 p.m. CT

Red Stars starting lineup:
Monica Gonyo, Rachel Quon, Leigh Jakes, Samantha Johnson, Arin Gilliland, Danielle Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo, Mary Luba, Sofia Huerta, Jen Hoy, Rachel Tejada

Goals: 1-0 Hoy (23’), 2-0 V. Gonyo (25’), 3-0 Walls (28’)

Red Stars Cautions/Ejections: None

Red Stars substitutions:
Cara Walls for Jen Hoy (23’)
Jackie Esterkamp for Rachel Tejada (23’)
Kelley McCloskey for Mary Luba (23’)
Valerie Gonyo for Leigh Jakes (23’)
Lillie Toaspern for Rachel Quon (30’)
Jayden Barrett for Vanessa DiBernardo (31’)