Red Stars' Cristiane records league's first hat trick

Considering how much trouble the Chicago Red Stars have had scoring this season, they're not about to worry about degree of difficulty.

They figure they're overdue some breaks, and they took advantage to claim a 3-1 victory against last-place FC Gold Pride on Sunday night in front of 5,127 at Toyota Park.

"I think we did (get some breaks). I think we definitely did," midfielder Megan Rapinoe said. "Part of it is you make your own luck. You can say we're lucky or not. ... Either way, we'll take it. We'll take the wins."

They also enjoyed 3 goals from forward Cristiane for the first hat trick in Women's Professional Soccer history.

"I positioned myself well," Cristiane said, "and I received good balls from my teammates."

Cristiane scored the game's first goal in the 31st minute, easily converting a penalty kick after being tripped in the penalty area.

The Brazilian forward scored again in first-half injury time, taking advantage of FC Gold Pride (3-8-3, 12 points) being shorthanded due to Kristen Graczyk's injury. A Rapinoe pass sprung Cristiane behind the defense, and she dribbled in, deked goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart and managed to squeak a shot through a couple of defenders rushing back to try to make a save.

FC Gold Pride got a goal back in the 64th minute on a Tiffeny Milbrett penalty kick. But Cristiane got the goal back almost immediately, embarrassing a defender and blasting an 18-yard shot that gave Barnhart no chance. Cristiane left the game in the 67th minute in order to rest for Wednesday's game at Boston and next Sunday's game at Sky Blue FC.

"Tonight we went out, I don't think we played our best game, but we showed what you do when your best players do their very best things," Red Stars coach Emma Hayes said. "Cristiane showed her quality as a world-class finisher."

With their second consecutive victory the Red Stars (4-6-5, 17 points) jumped into fifth place, just a point out of the fourth and final playoff spot with five games to play.

"As I said to them at the end of the game, 'Who's laughing at us now?' " Hayes said. "We might have started slowly in this season, but we're ready to go for the playoffs, so I'll see you in a couple of weeks."