Stars FC tie Spirit for fifth straight draw

Chicago Stars FC tied the Washington Spirit 1-1 on Sunday to earn the team’s fifth-consecutive draw, a National Women’s Soccer League record.

Forward Ludmila scored the team’s lone goal, her fifth in three matches, all coming in the second half.

Washington hit the Stars with an offensive barrage in the first half. The Spirit’s most dangerous opportunity came in the 23rd minute from a free kick that found the head of a Washington attacker forcing Alyssa Naeher to make a save. Right before the half, Chicago had its best chance when Ludmila sent a looping ball behind the defense to Ally Schlegel, who took a shot at goal but went straight to the keeper, Aubrey Kingsbury.

The Stars came out looking to attack again, but in the 57th minute Trinity Rodman got the ball up the left side and took it to the goal line before sending a low cross into the box. After a few ricochets, the ball landed in front of Sofia Cantore, who put the ball away to give the Spirit the lead.

In the 68th minute, Washington played the ball back to its defenders, but the pass was off the mark and rolled into space. Ludmila ran the ball down, forcing Aubrey Kingsbury to come off her line, but Ludmila sent the ball past Kingsbury and tied the match.