An own goal in the 90th minute snapped a tie and allowed the Portland Thorns to post a 2-1 victory over Racing Louisville on Friday night in Louisville, Ky.
The sequence began with Portland’s Mallie McKenzie having possession on the right side and delivering a cross toward the net. Jessie Fleming then sent a close-range left-footed shot on net that was deflected by Louisville goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer, but the ball caromed off the leg of teammate Ellie Jean and into the net.
Julie Dufour scored in the first half and Mackenzie Arnold made five saves for Portland (8-6-5, 29 points), which halted a three-match winless stretch (0-2-1).
Katie O’Kane had a first-half goal for Louisville (7-7-5, 26 points), which had a four-match unbeaten run (1-0-3) snapped. Bloomer made seven saves, including her third-penalty kick stop in 27 days.
Louisville struck first on O’Kane’s goal in the 22nd minute. Sarah Weber had the ball close to the end line and passed it back to O’Kane, who booted a close-range right-footer into the net.
The Thorns knotted the score nine minutes later. Reilyn Turner’s left-footed blast was stopped by Bloomer and the rebound went to Dufour, who headed the ball off the right goalpost and into the net.
The score was still tied when Thorns captain Sam Coffey stood at the spot for a penalty kick in the 48th minute. However, Coffey’s right-footed shot to the bottom left corner was easily stopped by Bloomer, who blocked two penalty kicks in one match on Aug. 9 against the Orlando Pride.
Louisville’s Emma Sears had a chance to break the tie in the 76th minute but her right-footed shot hit the left goalpost.
–Field Level Media
