Red Stars roll in exhibition victory

AUSTIN, Texas — The Red Stars, in Texas for a week of preseason training, defeated St. Edward’s University 8-0 in an exhibition match Wednesday with Jessica McDonald scoring four goals in the second half.

Two more Chicago goals came from Lori Chalupny, and veteran Leslie Osborne and rookie Hanna Gilmore rounded out the scoring.

The Red Stars, the Lisle-based club playing in the National Women’s Soccer League, started out on the attack and got several good looks on target early during the windy afternoon in Austin but it wasn’t until the 29th minute when Ella Masar was pulled down in the box that the team got on the board. Osborne confidently took the ensuing penalty kick and put the team up 1-0.

Less than 10 minutes later, Chalupny got around a pair of defenders and slot home the second goal of the night in the 38th minute.

The score would remain 2-0 entering the half, but the Red Stars came out in a blitz for the final 45 minutes. Chalupny once again displayed her foot skills and created a chance for herself that put the Red Stars up 3-0 in the 56th minute, followed by McDonald’s first of the night, baiting the goalkeeper and slotting the ball low from near the endline in the 60th. Hanna Gilmore got her first goal of the year in the 63rd minute, followed by McDonald’s third and fourth of the night in the 66th and 90+ stoppage time, making a final score of 8-0.

Goalkeeper Erin McLeod held the first-half shutout while rookie Taylor Vancil closed out the second half.

The Red Stars will play another match while in Austin on Saturday when they take on the Houston Aces of WPSL-Elite at 4 p.m.