Red Stars earn first win of season

The Red Stars earned their first victory of the new season after a 1-0 win against newcomers Utah Royals FC in front of 19,203 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium. Danielle Colaprico scored the game-winning goal in the 27th minute.

Trading possession back and forth, the Red Stars found their first bit of action in the first 10 minutes as this year's leading goal scorer Alyssa Mautz struck a ball toward goal, narrowly sailing it over the crossbar. Nearly 10 minutes later, off a free kick from Danielle Colaprico, Katie Naughton rose above the rest and headed the ball, sending it just left of the far post.

Chicago just about got on the board halfway through the first half. In her first match this season, Yuki Nagasato received a through ball at the top of the box and struck it past Utah goalkeeper Abby Smith. Unfortunately, the ball bounced off the far goal post and was cleared.

Off the counter, Utah charged down the field as Gunnhilder Jonsdottir controlled the ball, making her way into the box. Chicago defender Sam Johnson was able to zero in on her, dispossessing with a sliding save.

But the Red Stars took the lead in the 27th minute as Colaprico's volley made the first-half difference.

Just minutes into the second 90 minutes, Chicago nearly earned another goal off a Colaprico corner kick. Headed on by Huerta, Nagasato attempted to redirect the ball toward the net but was eventually saved on the goal line.

Later in the match, Alyssa Naeher was called upon as Jonsdottir found her way into the box, and during a one-on-one situation, Naeher came off her lines for the save.

The Red Stars turn right around and host a midweek match on Wednesday, April 18, against Houston Dash